Accessing Justice

Communication Needs in the Conference Room (and Beyond) with Siobhan McCallum (season 3, episode 4)

In this episode, solicitor Siobhan McCallum (MSB) shares her experience of assisting clients with communication differences and difficulties in Family proceedings.

From holistically exploring each client's specific needs in order to identify any necessary support, to making thoughtful adjustments to meeting rooms, and working alongside intermediaries, Siobhan brings a wealth of experience to the discussion, and lots of practical suggestions for legal professionals working with clients who have communication difficulties (including how to arrange intermediary assistance for standalone conferences). 

• If you would like to learn more about Siobhan's client care system (nominated in the Innovation category at this year's Lexis Nexis Family Law Awards), please contact enquiries@msbsolicitors.co.uk.
  
  
• You can learn more about all aspects of working with a client who has communication needs via The Access Brief (Communicourt's free library of information and bite-sized guides, developed for legal professionals). 
  
  
• To find out more about Communicourt's CPD sessions for legal firms, visit www.communicourt.co.uk/freecpd 

Autism at Court with Chris Packham (season 3, episode 3)

Broadcaster and environmentalist, Chris Packham, very kindly shared a clip exploring his experiences of attending court, through his own autistic lens, as part of Communicourt's 2023 Accessing Justice Conference.

In this episode, intermediaries, Holly & Rory, listen to Chris' perspective and reflect on the issues he raises. The discussion considers preparation for attending legal proceedings, measures which can be implemented to support court users for whom unfamiliar locations and processes pose particular barriers, the impact of sensory sensitivities in a court setting, adjustments for sensory sensitivities, and the difficulty of hearing proceedings clearly. 

You can watch Chris' clip in full (and find lots of free resources for legal professionals working with a client with a communication difference or difficulty) via The Access Brief.

Courtroom videos:

• HMCTS: "Crown Court - Preparing to come to court"
• University of Derby: "The Magistrate's Court"
• Ministry of Justice: "Preparing for Your First Hearing at Family Court"

The Evolution of Accessible Justice with HHJ Neil Clark (season 3, episode 2)

In this episode, we’re sharing the opening address delivered at our 2023 Access to Justice Conference by His Honour Judge Neil Clark. Appointed to the North East circuit in 2012, Judge Clark has participated in a number of initiatives relating to both special measures and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) at Leeds Crown Court.

This opening speech explores the justice system’s ongoing journey towards improved accessibility for vulnerable people. Listen in as Judge Clark shares both his personal experiences and his considerable experience in the courtroom, to unpack why he believes steady evolution, not rapid upheaval, is needed to continually improve access to justice.

You can watch a video recording of Judge Clark's speech from the Access to Justice 2023 conference, as well presentations delivered by HHJ Neil Clark, Dr Katie Maras, Andi Brierley and Edmore Masendeke on Communicourt's library of resources for legal professionals, The Access Brief. 

Trauma-Informed Approaches to Special Measures with Kama Melly KC (season 3, episode 1)

Kama Melly KC (Park Square Barristers) explores trauma-informed, person-centered approaches to facilitating the evidence of vulnerable witnesses and defendants.

Speaking at Communicourt's Access to Justice Conference 2023, Kama considers how we can step outside of the special measures set out in the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act (1999), in order to support the participation of vulnerable court users, including children and people affected by trauma.

One of the six Senior Trainers who helped develop the National Training for Vulnerable Witnesses, Kama’s practice with young defendants, particularly, has been described by the Court of Appeal as ‘a model’. She is also the Bar Representative with the Ministry of Justice for the Section 28 scheme to pre-record evidence. Among her many other roles, Kama sits part-time as a Judge in the Crown and Family Courts. 

In her presentation, Kama strongly recommends the Inns of Court College of Advocacy e-learning programmes, which include programmes on 'Advocacy and the Vulnerable' in criminal and family proceedings, as well advocacy for children in contact with the law. 

You can watch a video recording of Kama's speech from the Access to Justice 2023 conference, as well presentations delivered by HHJ Neil Clark, Dr Katie Maras, Andi Brierley and Edmore Masendeke on Communicourt's library of resources for legal professionals: The Access Brief. 

Traumatic Brain Injury with Sarah Gibbin (Arbor Neurorehabilitation Services): Hidden Disabilities (episode 7)

In this episode, intermediary Maija Siren talks to highly specialist speech & language therapist, Sarah Gibbin about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and some of the impacts the condition can have on communication. Maija brings an intermediary's perspective to the conversation, considering how the 'hidden disabilities' a person with a mild or moderate TBI may have could affect them in legal proceedings. 

Sarah is a senior speech & language therapist with specialist post-graduate training in communication disorders post traumatic brain injury and acquired swallowing disorders. Sarah has worked across a range of hospital and community settings and now works part-time in the NHS, and recently completed a Masters in Research (Communication Disorders). Sarah also works as an expert witness for medico-legal cases, via Somek & Associates, providing specialist speech & language therapy assessment and reports required for court proceedings. 

Resources mentioned in episode:
- Headway: Brain injury charity providing information, helplines and support groups. 
- Arbor Neurorehabilitation Services: Sarah's interdisciplinary organisation, which provides private, client-centred therapy for adults with a brain injury.

Selective Mutism with Susannah Thomson (SMIRA): Hidden Disabilities (episode 6)

October is Selective Mutism Awareness Month. In this episode, intermediary Demi Holden talks to Speech & Language Therapist Susannah Thomson about Selective Mutism, touching on everything from Selective Mutism myths, to how professionals can better assist court users with selective mutism in the justice system.

Susannah Thomson is a Speech and Language Therapist working online but based in Bristol. Her private caseload includes children and adults with Selective Mutism (SM). She was trained to the Advanced level by Maggie Johnson and Alison Wintgens, the authors of the SM Resource Manual, and is a member of the profession’s Clinical Excellence Network. She is a Trustee of the national SM charity SMIRA and is a regular contributor on the SMIRA Facebook group . She designed the guided process on “How to Get Help for Selective Mutism” and runs training courses on working with teens and adults with Selective Mutism. More information about Susannah's work can be found on her website: speech-freedom.co.uk

Additional resources mentioned in podcast

• SMIRA Facebook group
• SMIRA website
• Selective Mutism Resource Manual
• Waiting list for Susannah's general training
• Help With Talking website

Developmental Language Disorder with Becky Clark (ClarkSLT): Hidden Disabilities (episode 5)

Becky Clark is a speech and language therapist and founder of ClarkSLT. She co-founded the RADLD YouTube campaign to raise awareness and understanding of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).

In the fifth episode of our Hidden Disabilities series, Becky talks to Communicourt intermediary, Maija Siren, about this underdiagnosed language disorder, unpacking DLD, alongside some of its potential impacts for court users. 

As RADLD Editor, Becky produced many of the films, and in 2018 RADLD won a Charity Film Award for DLD 1-2-3. In 2021, Becky received a 'Giving Voice Award' and became a 'Fellow' of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the profession. Becky's research and online publications can be downloaded here.

ADHD and Legal Proceedings with ADHD UK: Hidden Disabilities (episode 4)

ADHD UK hosted a panel discussion on "ADHD and the Criminal Justice System" as part of the first Global ADHD Conference.

Henry Sheldon (ADHD UK) chaired a conversation with William Scrimshire (Communicourt), Michelle White (Teesside University) and Allison Woodhead (Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust), exploring topics including underdiagnosis of the condition among individuals in the criminal justice system, police questioning of individuals with ADHD and the barriers to participation a defendant with ADHD may face at court.

Stroke and Legal Proceedings with Austin Willett: Hidden Disabilities (episode 3)

Austin Willett is the CEO of Different Strokes, a charity helping younger stroke survivors and their families to achieve active recovery throughout their lives. In the third episode of our Hidden Disabilities series, Austin and Miriam John (intermediary) explore the possible impacts of stroke upon communication and the potential challenges a stroke survivor may face when participating in legal proceedings. 

Trauma and Legal Proceedings with Cliff Hawkins: Hidden Disabilities (episode 2)

Cliff Hawkins is a clinical psychologist with considerable experience working with people with learning disabilities. He has also served as an expert witness in legal proceedings. In the second episode of our Hidden Disabilities series, Cliff discusses trauma and its possible impacts on individuals involved in legal proceedings, with intermediary Carla Millington.