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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

DIVERSITY: Bethany (Bookings Planner) recently stepped into a new role as a Wellbeing Ambassador within the company. She was nominated for her enthusiasm, proactiveness, solutions based approach and "going above and beyond to try and support those around her".

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

COURAGE: Aqsah was nominated for her timely interventions with an unrepresented defendant with considerable needs who was asked to reconsider their plea ‘on the spot’. Her recommendations impressed the judge and ensured the defendant could make an informed decision about the progress of their trial.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

COLLABORATION: The report update group (10 out of 12 pictured!) took the trophy for their collective efforts in rethinking our approach to assessment reports, a feat of collaboration which in itself assists our intermediaries to more effectively share our findings and recommendations with the court.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

INNOVATION: Rebecca is well known for her quick-thinking strategies for simplifying the nuances of legal advice. She was nominated for her ingenious everyday analogy which assisted a defendant to grasp how raising a particular point may be perceived by the jury and the implications this could have.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

RESPECT: Gabrielle was nominated for her sensitive and effective interventions when working with a Family court user who reported significant significant trauma. The court user and their counsel had nothing but praise for Gabrielle's professionalism, consideration, and skill.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Our quarterly Communicourt team days are always full of learning, connection and celebration of achievements. At each event we hold the LOVE Awards - recognising colleagues who have gone above and beyond in exemplifying our values of Collaboration, Innovation, Courage, Respect and Diversity.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Thank you, @lalyawards.bsky.social, it was a real pleasure to sponsor this year's awards. We heard so many inspiring stories, and loved connecting with so many solicitors and barristers with a real passion for ensuring the meaningful, effective participation of their clients. @wearelapg.bsky.social

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Chris Horrocks @communicourtchris.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

#LALY25 An outstanding person and a game changing silk, making a difference to so many vulnerable asylum seekers' lives @lalyawards.bsky.social #stephanieharrisonKC @gardencourtlaw.bsky.social @communicourt.bsky.social

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Chris Horrocks @communicourtchris.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

A fantastic celebration of our amazing Legal Aid Lawyers! Congratulations to you all! 🥳 @lalyawards.bsky.social @communicourt.bsky.social #LALY25

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Chris Horrocks @communicourtchris.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

#LALY25 @lalyawards.bsky.social amazing people receiving much deserved recognition! 👏👏 @communicourt.bsky.social

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

You can find out more about why we have chosen to sponsor this event, and find out what intermediaries think of Legal Aid practitioners on the Communicourt blog! www.communicourt.co.uk/news/were-sp…

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

This year we're sponsoring the Criminal Defence category. Very good luck to the finalists, Manisha Knights (MK Law), Emma McClure (SL5 Legal) and Georgia Patterson (TV Edwards Solicitors).

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

The Communicourt team are getting their glad rags on ahead of the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards #LALY25 this evening. We're really proud to be sponsoring this event, which celebrates some of the most exceptional, socially-minded legal practitioners in practice.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

We were delighted to read about the person-centred, multi-modal approach our intermediary used to ensure this court user could participate effectively in proceedings. Read more feedback from barristers judges & service users here: www.communicourt.co.uk/referral-boo…

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

We're published on the @ilpaimmigration.bsky.social ‬today, exploring the importance of - and barriers to - timely identification of communication differences and difficulties in #immigration matters: bit.ly/3IhbJc8 #intermediary

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

"I wanted to say a quick thank you to an amazing solicitor who I worked with in a conference recently...". In honour of #LALY25, we asked Communicourt intermediaries what they -really-think about the Legal Aid practitioners they've worked alongside. Here's what they told us... @wearelapg.bsky.social

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Delighted to be joining the #LondonLegalWalk2025 tomorrow, to help raise money for free legal advice charities. Donate here: londonlegalsupporttrust.org.uk/donate-today/. Pick the brains of @communicourtchris.bsky.social and Sue Mahay about the role of intermediaries in #AccessToJustice en route!

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

In this month's Moment that Made a Difference, Angela* (intermediary) worked with Claire (a mother in care proceedings). Although Claire did not have capacity in the case, it remained vital that she could participate as effectively as possible, and give her views. [*names and details changed]

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Huge congratulations to all of the incredible Legal Aid Lawyers who have just been announced as finalists at the #LALY25 Awards. But what do intermediaries -really- think about the Legal Aid solicitors and barristers they work alongside? Here's what they had to say... @wearelapg.bsky.social

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

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Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards @lalyawards.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

.@WeAreLAPG is proud to announce 📢 the 30 finalists in this year's Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards. For an insight into the doggedness 🐶& brilliance 🌟of lawyers at the social justice coalface, look no further than our #LALY25 shortlist....... lapg.co.uk/lapg-announc...

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Learn more about communication and mental health in legal proceedings. The Access Brief is home to guides & resources on topics ranging from representing someone with anxiety, depression or emotional regulation difficulties: www.communicourt.co.uk/the-access-b…

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Both mental health conditions and communication needs are more prevalent among defendants and respondents in legal proceedings (and other court users). So, it's important to be aware of the ways these areas of difficulty can impact, influence and sometimes exacerbate each other.

Title: Anxiety
Text: Anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders in people with communication difficulties and populations in contact with the justice system:
27% of people in UK prisons diagnosed with anxiety disorder.
24% of mothers and 15% of fathers in care proceedings have anxiety.
31% rate of PTSD among refugee & asylum seekers, compared to 3.9% of population.
When experiencing heightened levels of anxiety people can find it hard to focus, take in information or make choices.

Cream background featuring a ringing red fire alarm icon.
Title: Fight or Flight
Text: Mental health conditions can cause our stress 'fight or flight' response to be more easily triggered, putting the body in a state of alarm, prioritising survival systems and de-prioritiing non-essential systems (e.g. for communication).
In yellow circle with up arrow: Musles, heart reate lungs.
In grey cricle with down arrow: processing information, rational
decision-making, seeing other perspectives.

Cream background, featuring image of graph with yellow arrow bouncing up and down.
Title: Fluctuation
Text: Communication difficulties and mental health can fluctuate and support needs may vary. E.g. people with bipolar disorder experience episodes of very high mood (mania) and very low mood (depression)
Depression: reduced ability to concentrate, remember and process information.
Mania: rapid, tangential expression, attention may jump between topics.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and we’ve been thinking about the relationship between mental health and communication.

Green background with a line drawing of two hemispheres of a brain. One half of the brain is made up of complicated scribbles. T
Title: The intersection
Text: Communication and mental health can both have significant impacts on how someone participates in daily life.
They often occur together. People with a primary communication difficulty are at greater risk of a secondary mental health disorder.
So, how do these difficulties intersect, and how might that affect people in legal proceedings?

Cream background with two speech bubbles in green and yellow.
Title: Communication impacts on mental health
Text: Communication difficulties (e.g. aphasia, autism, learning disabilities) can impact mental health, anxiety or depression are common.
Communication differences can result in isolation from social opportunities
There can be barriers to accessing treatments that rely on verbal communication (e.g. talking therapies)
It can be more difficult to understand one's own mental health.

Cream background with two brain hemispheres in green and yellow.
Title: Mental health impacts on communication
Text: Mental health conditions can affect communication, causing difficulties with concentration, fatigue or excess energy, processing information, organising thoughts, expressing ourselves, impulsivity, recognising social cues.
Mental health problems can also affect general wellbeing, with consequences for communication. E.g. poor sleep or hydration can impede cognition and focus.

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Centre for Justice Innovation @cjinnovation.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

Next week we launch our new research with @centreforcare.bsky.social on reducing the risk of CJS involvement for children in contact with the care system. Sign up to hear from Anna Leyland, senior researcher, Caroline Adams, @CollegeofPolice & Charlene Richardson, Safer Options. ow.ly/LOoX50VTLzn

ow.ly

Reducing the criminalisation of children in contact with the care system

The launch of 'Joining the dots: Reducing the risk of criminal justice involvement for children in contact with the social care system'.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Depending on your client's access to and proficiency with technology, smart phones, apps or software may help them access to written information - particularly when you need to send along information outside of in-person meetings.

Tip five. Embrace technology.
If the person has strengths in using technology, this can aid their access to written information.
Many apps allow users to send and receive voice notes. This can be helpful for legal teams communicating with a client with literacy or retention difficulties, to send short reminders or longer updates which can be replayed as needed.
Text-to-speech apps can be helpful for people with dyslexia who struggle to read documents but have a good vocabulary and attention.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Easy read documents are designed to be more accessible or people with literacy difficulties. (You can read our short guide to making easy read documents on The Access Brief: bit.ly/3F2bsZB)

Tip Four. Easy read documents.
Easy read documents are more accessible versions of written information, designed for people with literacy difficulties.
Some key features include:
Short sentences.
Simple words.
Simple definitions where complex words cannot be avoided.
Well spaced text broken up into short sections.
Icons and imagery to help convey meaning.
Explore different styles to identify which is most accessible for your client.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Crack out your pencil case! Adapting a document with visual elements can help to draw attention to key areas, add simplifications of complex vocabulary or summarise what a section is about. It can also be a method for clients to indicate which parts of a document aren't clear to them.

Tip Three. Highlight and annotate.
Highlighting key areas of documents can be helpful for people who struggle to maintain attention.
Asking your client to highlight words or parts of a document they do not understand can help to identify problem areas.
Annotation can also help draw a reader’s attention to key parts of a document. It can also be used to add simplifications and to add topic headings or simple icons.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Taking the time to read documents aloud removes the pressure on your client to access written information directly. Be mindful of the volume of information they are trying to take in verbally and take steps to support their understanding, such as summarising, chunking or repetition.

Tip Two. Read documents out.
The person may prefer to read along with you or may prefer to listen. It might help to:
- Only read key parts
- Read aloud in short chunks, pausing to allow them to process, while checking their understanding
- Simplify complex words
- Encourage the person to indicate when they have not understood. They may wish to use a card or symbol to do this instead of expressing this verbally.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting a court user with literacy difficulties. Take time to explore your client’s literacy with them, and be aware they may not feel comfortable disclosing any difficulties. Ask what is difficult and what helps them understand complex documents better.

How to help.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting a court user with literacy difficulties, but the following tips may help.
Tip One.
Take time to explore your client’s literacy with them, and be aware they may not feel comfortable disclosing any difficulties.
Assure them that any needs they have will not impact the outcome of their case.
Ask what they do when they receive documents about their case.
Ask what is difficult and what helps them understand complex documents better.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

When you think of reading difficulties you may often think of dyslexia - but there are a much wider range of factors which can pose barriers for clients accessing written information.

Dyslexia is the condition most commonly associated with reading difficulties, but it is not the only reason a person may face barriers to accessing information. Other factors include:
- Low literacy skills (due to reduced access to education)
- ADHD & other attention difficulties
- Smaller receptive vocabulary
- Difficulty drawing inference
- Learning disability

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

While a court user may not need to read and understand the entire contents of a bundle, written information is often relied upon to communicate the key issues in a case, exchange updates and set out what is required of each person or what will happen next.

While a court user may not need to read and understand the entire contents of a bundle, there is lots of important written information they may need in order to understand:
- The main issues in a case (e.g. threshold documents, indictments, etc)
- Key points in the case as it unfolds (e.g. expert reports, transcripts, correspendence with legal team)
- Next steps and outcomes (e.g. contact plans, written agreements, court orders and conditions)

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Legal proceedings often involve large amounts of written material - from initial documents to evidence and orders. For some, accessing and understanding this information can be challenging. Small changes in how we share information can make a big difference to participation and access to justice.

Title of this post is: Literacy Difficulties and Legal Proceedings - Five ways to support a client to access written information.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Thanks so much for the alt text flag, @lauraskh.bsky.social! Fixed :)

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

This month's 'Moment That Made a Difference' addressed the impacts emotional dysregulation can have on an individual's ability to direct their attention, take in information and engage in effective communication - skills vital to effective participation in legal conferences and giving instructions.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Absolutely! Thanks so much for flagging, Laura, this one slipped the net! We'll pop the Alt text version up shortly!

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

A great illustration of how inaccessible communication around bail conditions can be (whether due to communication needs or reduced access to technology) - and how important it is to check understanding directly.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Thanks to @yorkshirelegalnews.bsky.social for this Q&A with intermediary (and Yorkshire local!) Tegan, unpacking her role & what she wishes legal professionals knew about communication needs: www.yorkshirelegalnews.co.uk/breaki…

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Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards @lalyawards.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

#LALY25 nominations are CLOSED⛔! Thank you to all the wonderful folk who submitted entries which our judges are v much looking forward to reading. Finalists announced mid-May, so watch this space 👁️ Winners announced at our🌟glittering🌟 ceremony on 4 July - put that date in your calendars now😘

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

With closer interdisciplinary collaboration, we hope the Court can better “adapt its procedures to achieve fairness for vulnerable individuals, in particular by ensuring that all participants are on an equal footing in the light of the importance and complexity of the issues.” (paragraph 12).

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

This is an important objective which requires interdisciplinary collaboration, communication and information sharing. We look forward to further exploring how this can be best achieved in cooperation with Courts, legal pracititoners and others.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

We're very pleased to see the reinstatement of the 'test of necessity' as the sole test to be applied when considering intermediary applications, and to see emphasis placed on holistic, ongoing consideration of an individual's needs (which may not be static) in a specific case, at specific stages.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

What does the new Court of Appeal judgment regarding intermediaries mean for Family Court users with communication needs? Read our highlights, reflections & action points: www.communicourt.co.uk/news/reaffir…

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

We will provide a more detailed response to the judgment in this case over the coming weeks.

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Communicourt @communicourt.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

In light of this change, we'll be further exploring how we can best assist the Courts “to achieve fairness for vulnerable individuals, in particular by ensuring that all participants are on an equal footing in the light of the importance and complexity of the issues” (paragraph 12, RE: M).

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