The increase in psychiatry malpractice cases is discussed & factors associated with the increase are examined. Vulnerable areas for psychiatrists include patient suicide, abnormal response to medication, consent, confidentiality, mishandling of transferance, civil rights abuse of patients, & prediction of dangerousness. The psychiatrist’s role as expert witness is described & other legal issues such as fees, pretrial conferences, & trial experience credibility are considered. (4 refs.) (LH)