Dr Chris Idzikowski

BSc PhD CPsychol FBPsS

Chartered Psychologist·Forensic Sleep Medicine

Current practice

After a career in sleep research and forensic sleep medicine stretching back to 1975, I am winding down — or at least severely limiting — my involvement in trial work. My practice is now limited to the following:

Pre-trial case assessment

Confidential review of case papers, on a fee basis, for solicitors, barristers and chambers — advising whether a sleep-related defence (sexsomnia, sleep-related automatism or another parasomnia) is scientifically viable and worth pursuing before significant costs are incurred.

Advisory opinions

Opinions on the strength and limits of sleep-medicine evidence in a case, including evidence already served.

Seminars and training

Talks and training sessions for chambers and legal professionals on sexsomnia, sleep-related automatism and the parasomnias.

Please note

I am not currently taking instructions for full expert reports or court appearances, other than in exceptional circumstances. I would rather say so plainly here than have clerks or solicitors pursue instructions that cannot be accepted.

I do not accept patients and do not provide clinical or diagnostic services. If you are seeking help with a sleep problem, please consult your GP about referral to a sleep clinic.

Background

I began sleep research in 1975, taking my PhD under Professor Ian Oswald in Edinburgh, and have since advised or given evidence in more than 300 forensic sleep cases across England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Guernsey, Australia and New Zealand — predominantly sexsomnia and other disorders of arousal, including murder and dangerous-driving cases. I was formerly director of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre (Heriot Row), which was linked to the London Sleep Centre, where I was also a consultant. I helped establish the British Sleep Society and the Royal Society of Medicine's Sleep Medicine Section, and have published in leading journals. I am a Visiting Fellow of the Open University Law School.

Contact

chris@sleepspecialist.co.uk

Professional enquiries only.