Are you emotionally resilient?
Communicourt runs regular CPD training for our intermediaries. One of our most recent programmes focused on emotional resilience. We asked three of the intermediaries who took part in the training to tell us about their experiences: Where this started: We have been finding different ways to keep our skills updated... Continue reading
Leaving lockdown: the changing Covid-19 landscape at court
The effect of COVID-19 restrictions has been seismic across UK justice system. Lockdowns and reduced court capacities have contributed to the backlog of Crown court cases which is now in excess of 57,000 cases. In a bid to clear this backlog, the Ministry of Justice has recently announced they are... Continue reading
Epilepsy and how it affects communication
By Sarah Smith Most people think they know what epilepsy is and that it causes seizures, but these seizures can also lead to temporary loss of function in one or more parts of the brain. These parts are often involved in understanding, organisation, and communication processing. We often work with... Continue reading
Neurodiversity: difference or disability?
Sophie Tompson and Jen Clark Judy Singer first coined the phrase ‘neurodiversity’in the late 1990’s. Singer was a sociologist whose daughter had a diagnosis of autism, but Singer didn’t believe this to be a disability. She believed that all minds are unique and there are infinite numbers of variations on... Continue reading
Working as a Court Appointed Intermediary
Laura Kington There is no such thing as a 'typical' day in the life of an intermediary. Our roles vary hugely from day to day, working with vulnerable people with a variety of communication issues, and in numerous settings. We work across youth, criminal and family courts, mainly with defendants... Continue reading
Celebrating 10 years of Communicourt
Ten years ago, a commitment was made within Section 104 of the Coroners and Justice Act to allow certain vulnerable defendants the assistance of an intermediary. This is the only part of the Act that has not yet been implemented, leaving a huge gap in support for people with communication... Continue reading
Sharing Covid-19 learning
Despite the disruption that Covid-19 has caused across the country, it has been vital for legal proceedings to continue. Like many essential services, Communicourt has adapted quickly and moved much of our work online to ensure the court system can continue to function fairly. We have pulled all of our... Continue reading
