Dr. Carnwath has been a psychiatric expert witness for over twenty years. Currently he prepares about 150 medical reports a year, particularly in the fields of medical negligence and personal injury, and for the Criminal and Family Courts. He is instructed by both Claimant and Defence solicitors. He is also an Assessor for the General Medical and General Dental Councils, and provides frequent reports in this context. He is frequently instructed also by Medical Protection organisations, and has been involved in several high-profile cases. He attends Court on average between five and ten times a year.
He has prepared over fifty reports concerning adult survivors of childhood abuse, particularly within the Care Home system, both in Ireland and England, and has given evidence in Court in some well-publicised cases.
He has reported in a number of cases where drug or alcohol using clients have suffered serious injury, and the key issue has been their life prospects had they not suffered injury.
He is frequently instructed in claims concerning alleged inadequate medical care in prison.
He is Medical Director of Atkinson Lewis Ltd, a company which supplies specialist services to the Family Courts, particularly medico-legal reports, IT services and hair/blood testing.