Intermediary Archives - Communicourt

Intermediary case law update: Mr Justice Williams [2024] EWHC 906 (Fam)

19th June 2024

A judgment providing further consideration of the use of intermediaries in family proceedings was published on 18.04.2024. The [2024] EWHC 906 (Fam) judgment of the Honourable Mr Justice Williams, follows the recent judgment of Mrs Justice Lieven, which effectively imported guidance regarding the use of intermediaries in criminal proceedings into family cases (West Northamptonshire Council v KA & Ors [2024]).

Below you will find a quick guide to key points in Mr Justice William’s judgment, and some practical considerations which may arise in response. You can access our related guide to the judgment of Mrs Justice Lieven here.

Please note: This post is intended to provide informal guidance and the views of Communicourt at the time of publication. If you have questions regarding the instruction of an intermediary in a specific case, the matter should always be discussed directly with the presiding judge. If you require further information regarding our intermediary service, please contact admin@communicourt.co.uk or telephone: 0121 663 0931.

Can I still request an intermediary to assist in family proceedings?

Yes, applications for intermediary assistance at all stages of family proceedings can still be made and approved.

Recent judgments do not prevent a judge from granting intermediary assistance throughout (or at specific stages of) proceedings, provided it is “necessary to ensure that a ‘fair hearing’ is achieved either in relation to […] a party’s participation…” (see below).

When an intermediary report recommends intermediary assistance at any stage of proceedings, it is because the assessor deems this is necessary to ensure effective participation (as adjustments which can be implemented by court and counsel will not, in their view, be sufficient).

An intermediary assessment will consider the individual’s whole communication profile in detail, exploring:

The impact any observed difficulties may have on participation at all stages.
The effectiveness of strategies which can be implemented to overcome any likely barriers to participation.
Whether any effective strategies can reasonably be implemented by the court, or whether the individual will require the assistance of an intermediary to support their participation.

Information highly relevant to the test of necessity set out by Williams is included in the intermediary report, which can assist the court in making an informed decision regarding intermediary allocation. This, in our view, makes obtaining an intermediary assessment of great importance when working with a client who may have communication needs.

Background to the judgment

Mr Justice Williams considered a respondent’s intermediary application in care proceedings, applying the guidance of Mrs Justice Lieven (and therefore the parameters of R v Thomas (Dean)) to do so.

Our guide to these criminal guidelines relating to intermediary applications (which are now to be applied in family proceedings) can be found here.

In this case, the respondent’s legal team used a Part 25 application to apply for an intermediary (which was not the correct procedure – instead intermediary applications should be made as a “case management direction by the court of a similar nature to the direction for the appointment of an interpreter”.)

The respondent was reported to have a diagnosis of ADHD, but no evidence was provided to support this, nor the necessity of intermediary assistance.

The application was adjourned, with Mr Justice Williams stating: “The Mother will file the ADHD diagnosis she says she has received. It seems likely a psychiatric expert will be authorised to assess the mother given these issues and her long-term problems with drug and alcohol misuse. The mother’s team and this court will, should evidence emerge which suggests the necessity for participation directions including an intermediary, keep the issue under review”.

Relevance to intermediary applications

Mr Justice Williams sets out the reasons for this judgment as follows:

“I am delivering this judgment because this case seems to me to illustrate some of the issues which are emerging in the Family Courts in relation to the use of intermediaries. An intermediary can be an essential component in what the court provides to a party or witness to enable them to participate fairly in proceedings or in giving their best evidence and my own experience demonstrates their value in appropriate cases. The issue however is where is it appropriate to direct the use of an intermediary as they are not to be used as some sort of safety net or security blanket by lawyers or the courts but only where their use is necessary. Like other court funded resources (whether judicial or otherwise) they are a limited resource and a resource which comes with significant costs. Their use is governed by the procedural regime established in FPR 2010 r.3A and PD3AA.”

We will return to key issues (such as necessity, and the cost of intermediaries) in the table below. Just to make a quick note about intermediaries as a “limited resource”:

Communicourt are one of several Managed and Approved Service Providers (MASPs) under the HMCTS HAIS framework. There are also many Approved Service Providers (ASPs) of intermediary services in England and Wales. As the largest provider of intermediary services on the framework, Communicourt has around 100 full time, contracted intermediaries across England and Wales, providing national coverage. Since the implementation of the HAIS framework in 2022, we have declined less than 0.1% of bookings.

In the table below, we have identified some key points from the judgment and some points we believe are important considerations in relation to intermediary applications:

Key points from the judgment	Points to consider
FPR r3A sets out the role of an intermediary** in “very narrow” terms.** Mr Justice Williams highlights that the role of an intermediary, beyond the FPR definition (which relates to evidence only), requires further evidencing.	The role of an intermediary as referenced by Mr Justice Williams is, indeed, exceedingly narrow – Family Procedure Rules 3A.1 describes the “function” of an intermediary only in relation to supporting the communication of questions and answers during a court users’ evidence. However, Part 3A goes onto set out a wider scope for the intermediary role, recommending that “the court must consider whether a party’s participation in the proceedings (other than by way of giving evidence) is likely to be diminished by reason of vulnerability and, if so, whether it is necessary to make one or more participation directions” (FPR 3A.4(1), and that the measures available to court includes both “(d) provide for a party or witness to participate in proceedings with the assistance of an intermediary” and “(e) provide for a party or witness to be questioned in court with the assistance of an intermediary”. A wider scope is also set out in the Equal Treatment Bench Book, which much more closely reflects recent intermediary practice in Family Court, observing that a “vulnerable person is likely to need help not only during hearings but also away from court for the purpose of giving instructions and considering advice and options”. Mr Justice Williams notes the “…the definition [in FRR 3A] should [not] necessarily be interpreted as meaning an intermediary can only perform those functions…”. In current practice, intermediaries typically undertake a far wider range of duties to support a court user’s participation in family proceedings, doing so through a wide range of strategies tailored to the individual’s needs, from whispered simplifications in the courtroom, to explanation of key legal concepts using visual aids in conferences. Other aspects of the role can include checking understanding, and monitoring attention and emotional regulation, making recommendations in real time to mitigate these difficulties when they impact participation. Communicourt intermediary reports clearly set out recommended strategies and adaptations which will support an individual’s participation, including measures which can be implemented by the court and strategies which, through practical necessity, will require implementation by an intermediary. These measures, in many cases, go beyond communicating questions and answers during evidence, instead including strategies to support the individual to follow the thrust of proceedings (e.g., key legal arguments, judgments, expert evidence etc.) in order to ensure effective participation throughout. At Ground Rules Hearings, it may now be necessary to have a more detailed discussion about the role of the intermediary in proceedings (particularly beyond your client’s evidence). The intermediary report will detail any observed communication needs and the likely impact on their effective participation. We recommend reviewing the intermediary report in detail and having a discussion with the assigned intermediary prior to Ground Rules (they will be able to answer any questions about which adaptations or types of intermediary assistance will be required at different stages).
The test for whether it is “necessary to make the participation direction” in relation to an intermediary application, to ensure a fair trial, is considered. Key points for the court to consider include those set out in FPR 3A.7(a)-(m): – Whether the party or witness suffers from a mental disorder or otherwise has a significant impairment of intelligence or social functioning – The nature and extent of information before the court – Whether a matter is contentious – Any characteristic of the party or witness which is relevant – The measures available to the court – The cost	Whether an intermediary is necessary to ensure fair process is an important matter for the presiding judge. There will be many factors to consider, which the assessing intermediary may not provided with information about (for example, whether the matter is contentious or whether the case will involve complex expert evidence). As such, it is for the judge to make a holistic decision regarding the necessity of intermediary assistance, drawing on all available information in the case. An intermediary report, therefore, is a very useful resource which can support this holistic decision-making process. While the intermediary may not have information regarding the likely content of the case, the judge may not have experience of communicating directly with the individual, nor granular insight into their likely communication needs in the courtroom. A note on costs: Communicourt, Triangle, The Intermediary Cooperative and Aspire are HMCTS Appointed Intermediary Service (HAIS) providers, managed by the Ministry of Justice. HAIS fees are set by HMCTS and were not competed on as part of tender submissions. As noted by Williams, intermediary assistance is a valuable resource which does incur additional costs. However, there are many cases in which a “whole trial” direction for an intermediary may, in fact, save costs. There are a range of reasons why denying an intermediary application may prove to be ‘false economy’, from the costs of solicitor attendance in place of an intermediary, to delays caused by counsel requiring much longer breaks to explain and recap key information (which can often be undertaken by an intermediary in the courtroom) before taking instructions. The additional costs and delays caused by appeals and reopening hearings (as in this recent case), should also be considered. Unpredictable proceedings: It is also important to consider that family proceedings are often lengthy and unpredictable. For example, expert witnesses can be required at the last minute, or a party’s position may change on the morning of a Final Hearing. Court users with communication needs may have to make important, informed decisions which require them to understand emotive, complex and abstract information, under considerable pressure. To avoid delays to cases, we recommend that, if there are any concerns about a court user’s communication, a referral is made for an intermediary assessment at the earliest opportunity (assessment wait times are approximately 1-2 weeks and reports are completed within 5 working days. Urgent assessments can typically be accommodated much sooner and are regularly completed on the next working day). This means that, if case content changes and an intermediary is required at short notice, they can be allocated as soon as possible.
Other adjustments the court can make should be considered when considering whether an intermediary is a “necessary” measure. Only if these adjustments will not ensure the court user cannot participate fairly should an intermediary be approved. Measures the court should consider include the following from PD3 AA: – Adapting the structure and the timing of the hearing – Adapting the formality of language to be used in the court – Separate court entrances and waiting areas for different parties – The form of a witness’ evidence (for example, through an alternative communication medium) – Preventing repetition of questions by multiple advocates – Agreement of questions or topics to be put to the witness in advance – Pooling of questions to be asked by one advocate or the judge – Any other alternative arrangements for the individual’s evidence – Whether any previous evidence given by the witness can be used in place of live evidence – Adoption by advocates of the techniques set out in The Advocate’s Gateway toolkits.	In 22% of Communicourt intermediary assessments (since the HAIS framework began in April 2022), Communicourt intermediaries do not recommend intermediary assistance. This may be because the individual’s needs are so significant that intermediary assistance will not meaningfully support their effective participation, or because the court can implement adaptations without an intermediary to ensure the individual will be able to participate effectively. The recommendations the court can implement independently are clearly documented in our reports, when we do not recommend an intermediary. When an intermediary is recommended following an intermediary assessment, it is because the assessing intermediary has observed communication difficulties which cannot be accommodated without the assistance of the intermediary, and has found that strategies which can be implemented by the intermediary will support effective participation. While there are many skilled advocates, well-versed in The Advocate’s Gateway (TAG), and adept at tasks like simplifying information and checking understanding, it is important to consider the very considerable demands upon counsel. For example, in hearings, counsel will likely have their back to their client, taking a careful note of proceedings, making submissions, putting questions to a witness – this makes it exceptionally challenging to implement many strategies which may be required to support their client’s participation, from closely monitoring attention and emotional regulation (and implementing strategies to support in these areas when they impact participation), to answering their client’s questions, taking note of any matters they raise which require further discussion (which the client themselves may later forget to address in conference), simplifying and summarising key points which arise, and using visual aids (alongside other strategies) to ensure their client can follow the thrust of proceedings. This is by no means an exhaustive list of the strategies an intermediary can implement in the courtroom itself, but perhaps illustrates a few interventions the court, practically, cannot make without intermediary assistance. The same may also be true in the conference room, where counsel may have very limited time to undertake their primary role in proceedings, while also simplifying and recapping key points, checking understanding, and putting in place a range of other strategies to support their client’s participation. It is important to take a realistic view of what the court can and cannot implement. For example, in the experience of our intermediaries, the suggested measure of “adapting the formality of language to be used in the court”, is unlikely to be consistently or effectively implemented, to ensure the individual can reliably follow key points. For instance, there may be complex points which the court and advocates are unable to simplify in real time. Equally, it is unlikely that all legal professionals in the courtroom will have a clear picture of the individual’s specific receptive vocabulary and receptive language skills, preventing them from adapting their language effectively, in real time, while also undertaking their primary roles in the courtroom.
*The “spectrum of vulnerability”* is considered:** “Only towards the far end of the spectrum will be the cases where an intermediary is necessary for the giving of evidence. Only at the very far end will be cases where an intermediary is required for the whole of a hearing and only in the very rarest cases is an intermediary likely to be necessary to enable the party to give instructions in advance of a hearing. Of course, every case will ultimately depend on the evidence before the court, and it is for the experienced family judges to determine what is required to make the process fair.”	This section of Mr Justice William’s judgement appears to further ‘unpack’ the “exceptionally rare” use of intermediaries recommended in Mrs Justice Lieven’s judgment. We agree that communication needs exist on a spectrum. We also agree that the necessity of intermediary assistance should be determined by the presiding judge, with a clear overview of the service user’s needs, the case and the evidence. An intermediary assessment is, therefore, an important tool that can assist judges in making a holistic decision regarding whether an intermediary is necessary to support effective participation and, if so, at what stages. We strongly advise that an intermediary assessment is sought, to ensure that your client’s communication needs are considered in detail, and relevant adaptations at different stages are considered by the court. In terms of “whole trial” directions for an intermediary, it’s important to consider the impact of earlier intermediary assistance upon an individual’s effective participation, and upon proceedings as a whole. In legal conferences, for example, intermediary assistance can significantly improve a court user’s understanding of the matters and evidence in a case – and the decisions they must make, enabling them to give informed instructions. Support at this stage can aid the smooth-running of a case, by ensuring the individual’s informed position is communicated clearly to their legal representatives and the court – minimising the likelihood of later changes in position, as well as difficulties or misunderstandings arising between legal teams and their vulnerable clients. Similarly, intermediary support during hearings (not just when the individual gives evidence) often enables them to “follow the thrust” of proceedings and therefore participate effectively at all stages.
Evidence is required to establish that an intermediary is necessary. This may be (but is not limited to): – An expert report permitted by the court – A court user’s medical history – Evidence from the court user’s legal team, demonstrating that “…even by deployment of all their skills as a solicitor and counsel using the Advocates Toolkits, they do not consider the party or witness can participate fairly without an intermediary”.	Legal professionals have reported that it is increasingly challenging to gain approval for expert reports and intermediary assessments. This includes cognitive assessments, which may include a recommendation for an intermediary assessment (therefore making it more challenging to support applications for intermediary assessments). In Criminal proceedings, intermediary assessments are generally funded through Legal Aid Prior Authority, allowing legal teams to obtain intermediary reports, which can then be considered by the court in full. In Family proceedings, these assessments are funded by HMCTS, requiring approval by a judge. It may, therefore, be the case that a judge in Family proceedings effectively takes a view regarding the necessity of intermediary assistance at the ‘application for assessment stage’, without access to reports which provide key information about the matters highlighted in Williams’ judgment (the individual’s communication profile, the likely impact on participation, the strategies required to support participation, and whether or not these can be realistically implemented by the court). It is also important to consider that your client’s medical records may not contain information about possible communication needs or diagnoses likely to impact their participation in proceedings (due to lack of access to services, masking of difficulties, underdiagnosis etc). Many Communicourt service users do not have formal diagnoses, but present with a wide range of marked communication needs, resulting in them facing barriers to participation in legal proceedings.

If you have any questions regarding intermediary assistance for your client in light of this judgment, please contact admin@communicourt.co.uk or telephone us on 0121 663 0931 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4.45pm).

Intermediary case law update: Mrs Justice Lieven [2024] EWHC 79 (Fam)

14th February 2024

In January 2024, a new High Court Judgment from Mrs Justice Lieven was published, including guidance on intermediary use in family proceedings (West Northamptonshire Council v KA & Ors [2024]). The case concerned a mother who required a deaf intermediary (a highly specialised service performed by precious few professionals currently working in England & Wales, and not offered by Communicourt). The case was subject to considerable delays due to non-availability of a suitable intermediary.

Below you will find a quick guide to what has changed, and extra information about some practical considerations which may arise in response.

Please note: This post is intended to provide informal guidance and the views of Communicourt at the time of publication. If you have questions regarding the instruction of an intermediary in a specific case, the matter should always be discussed directly with the presiding judge. If you require further information regarding our intermediary service, please contact admin@communicourt.co.uk or telephone: 0121 663 0931.

Update: A further judgment relating to the use of intermediaries in family proceedings was handed down by Mr Justice Williams in April 2024. You can learn more about this further judgment here.

Can I still request an intermediary to assist in family court?

Yes, applications for intermediary assistance at all stages of family proceedings can still be made and approved.

The new guidance does not prevent a judge from granting intermediary assistance throughout proceedings, if there are “compelling” reasons to do so (see below).

What did the guidance say?

Ms Justice Lieven noted that guidance regarding intermediary appointments in the family court was not clearly set out in the Family Procedure Rules or any Practice Direction. She advised the guidance used in criminal proceedings should also be applied in family proceedings. As in criminal cases, intermediaries can still be used throughout family proceedings, subject to applications.

In some cases, an intermediary may only be approved to assist family court users at certain stages of proceedings (for example, when evidence is particularly complex, or during the court user’s evidence).

The key points from the R v Thomas (Dean) guidance which the family courts will now adopt are as follows:

R v Thomas (Dean) guidance	Points to consider
*Intermediaries should only be appointed if there are “compelling”* reasons to do so.**	Communicourt only recommends intermediary assistance when the assessing intermediary finds there is a compelling reason to do so. The reasons for the recommendation are clearly set out in the intermediary report, with reference to Appendix 1 (which documents observations and findings from the assessment in detail, supporting the recommendations we make). Communicourt reports highlight observed communication difficulties and the likely impact of these difficulties on a court user’s ability to participate effectively in proceedings. This information can be used by advocates to present a compelling argument when making an application for an intermediary. We do not recommend in every case. Our intermediaries are salaried employees and have no incentive to recommend or otherwise. Referrals are typically made following a recommendation from a psychologist or first-hand experience of communication difficulties with a client from a solicitor. This means there is a high probability that the referred individual does indeed have a communication difficulty which will impact their participation in proceedings.
It will be “exceptionally rare” for an order for an intermediary to be appointed for a whole trial. Intermediaries are not to be appointed on a “just in case” basis.	It is for the Judge to take a view regarding how rare they consider the content of the case and the needs of the court user to be, after considering the intermediary report, other professional reports (if available) and the application for an intermediary.
The Judge must give careful consideration, not merely to the circumstances of the individual but also to the facts and issues in the case.	This is an important consideration. Assessing intermediaries do not have access to information about the case when conducting assessments, and therefore it is for the judge to make a holistic decision regarding the support needed in the case (for example, if there is complex medical evidence which the individual will require support to follow). The intermediary report will clearly set out areas of communication difficulty and the likely impact of these difficulties in legal proceedings. The judge can use this information to decide at what stages of proceedings, a court user will require intermediary assistance. It is important to consider that family proceedings are often lengthy and unpredictable. For example, expert witnesses can be required at the last minute, or a party’s position may change on the morning of a Final Hearing. Court users with communication needs may have to make important, informed decisions which require them to understand emotive, complex and abstract information, under considerable pressure. To avoid delays to cases, we recommend that, if there are any concerns about a court user’s communication, a referral is made for an intermediary assessment at the earliest opportunity (assessment wait times are approximately 2-3 weeks and reports are completed within 5 working days. Urgent assessments can typically be accommodated much sooner). This means that, if case content changes and an intermediary is required at short notice, they can be allocated as soon as possible.
In determining whether to appoint an intermediary the Judge must have regard to whether there are other adaptations which will sufficiently meet the need to ensure that the court user can effectively participate in the trial.	Communicourt reports set out a full list of recommendations which will support a court user’s participation in legal proceedings. However, if an intermediary is recommended, it is because the assessing intermediary is of the view that, even with these recommendations in place, the court user will not be able to participate effectively without intermediary assistance. If the judge takes the view that intermediary assistance is not required throughout proceedings, the additional recommendations can still be applied to support your client’s participation to some extent.
The application must be considered carefully and with sensitivity, but the recommendation by an expert for an intermediary [for example a psychologist] is not necessarily a deciding factor.	Although not determinative, the views of experts should, of course, contribute to the decision-making process for the judge.
If no intermediary is available, cases should almost never be adjourned. Instead, adaptations should be implemented to support participation in the absence of an intermediary.	As above, we recommend that intermediary assessments are requested at the earliest possible stage, to allow intermediaries to be assigned promptly to cases. Communicourt assessment wait times are approximately 2-3 weeks and reports are completed within 5 working days. Urgent assessments can typically be accommodated more quickly, in some cases within a few working days. Please let us know your hearing dates and we will be able to give you a transparent view of whether or not we are likely to be able to provide an intermediary for the hearings. We have over 100 full time intermediaries working across England and Wales, so this is unlikely to be an issue. Subject to the demands on the service, we are often able to accommodate urgent requests.

If you have any questions regarding intermediary assistance for your client in relation to this judgment, please contact admin@communicourt.co.uk or telephone us on 0121 663 0931 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4.45pm).

My Intermediary Journey: Georgia and speaking English as a second language

11th October 2023

Hello, everyone! I’m Georgia, and I’ve been working as an intermediary at Communicourt for the past year and a half. I was born and grew up in Greece and moved to the UK over five years ago for my post-graduate studies. English is my second language, and I must admit that I didn’t always feel confident in my English proficiency.

I began learning English during my primary school years, but it was more of a basic level, similar to how students in the UK start learning French or German in primary school. About a year before moving to the UK, I took fast-pace English lessons to reach a more fluent level. At that time, I could communicate quite well in English, although I wasn’t nearly as skilled or confident as I am today. My journey has been an incredible learning experience, and I would like to share some of the insights I’ve gained along the way.

Embracing accents

One of the initial difficulties I faced upon arriving in the UK was dealing with various accents. Learning English from a Greek teacher didn’t fully prepare me for the many different British accents. I distinctly remember struggling to understand people during my early days here. I remember being at cafes when they asked, ‘Stay in or take away?’ and I had to ask them to repeat it. It took me a few months to get used to the British accent.

Little did I know that five years later, I would be working as an intermediary, communicating daily with court professionals and people with communication difficulties, in many different parts of the country, with a host of diverse accents and dialects. This experience has massively improved my ability to adapt and understand different accents. Through my experience, I’ve learned that building rapport and spending time attuning to each others is essential when meeting someone with an unfamiliar accent. Also, patience and active listening play a crucial role in bridging communication gaps.

Hearing various accents has not only improved my understanding but also made me appreciate the linguistic diversity that exists in the UK. It’s a testament to the beauty of language and the importance of inclusivity.

I understand that my own accent is unique, and individuals who are not used to hearing it may initially find it challenging. However, I’ve not yet experienced problems with court users understanding my way of speaking. The key here is the same: patience and building rapport can assist people to comprehend diverse accents. In my role as an intermediary, I always speak at a slow pace and break down information using everyday, commonplace words . This approach helps those who are not familiar with my accent and also ensures effective communication with every court user.

Idioms and non-literal language

As someone who speaks English as a second language, I rarely use figurative language or idioms. This isn’t because I don’t understand their meanings, but rather because idioms can vary significantly from one country to another. This aspect of my language background has proved to be very helpful when working with court users, many of whom struggle with non-literal language. For me, simplifying language or avoiding idiomatic expressions comes naturally, making communication smoother and more accessible for those I assist.

My ability to convey information in straightforward terms has been an asset in the courtroom. It ensures that the court users I support are better able to comprehend the proceedings and can actively participate in their legal matters. It’s a reminder that clarity and simplicity can transcend language complexities and can make it easier for others to understand and connect with the message being conveyed. In other words, less is more when it comes to effective communication.

Overcoming the fear of mistakes

Being fluent in English doesn’t mean that I don’t make mistakes when speaking or writing. Conversations in formal settings can be nerve-wracking for anyone, and adding the complexity of speaking in English as a second language only heightens the stress. However, my experience at Communicourt, along with the extensive training program, has significantly reduced my worries by helping me to feel more prepared when going to court and assisting court users.

As intermediaries, we are held to high standards in terms of our English language proficiency, but I’ve learned that it’s okay to make grammar mistakes from time to time. What truly matters is our understanding of the subject matter, our understanding of each court user, and our ability to effectively convey information. I’ve learnt that it’s also okay to ask for help when you need it. Openly acknowledging when we find something challenging and actively seeking assistance can set a powerful example for those we assist. By demonstrating our own willingness to seek support, we can inspire court users to overcome their hesitations and reach out for help when they need it most.

Additionally, I was nervous about making grammar mistakes when writing reports which are essential for my role. However, I’ve come to realise that writing a grammatically flawless report is an unattainable goal (even in Greek I would have struggled to do that!). What’s more important is the content of the report and ensuring that important information is accurately documented. With that said, I’m enduringly grateful to my colleagues for their proofreading (all Communicourt reports are quality checked by our colleagues).

What I’ve learned

My journey as an intermediary at Communicourt has been a transformative experience. Embracing the challenges posed by language, accents, idioms, and the fear of making mistakes has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. I’ve learned that effective communication goes beyond perfection in language; it’s about understanding, empathy, and connecting with others.

In a few words, if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, remember that your unique language characteristics can be an asset. Your linguistic journey is not an obstacle, in your career, nor in life. Embrace the challenges and use them to progress toward personal and professional growth. Language is a bridge (yes, I just used a non-literal expression in English!), and the journey across it is a beautiful one, no matter where you start.

Interested in working as an intermediary? Find out more about the role and our Intermediary Development Programme here.

The words "My Intermediary Week" on a watercolour background

My Intermediary Week: Anna

5th July 2023

My name is Anna and I’ve been an intermediary at Communicourt for two and a half years now (wow time flies!). I studied Psychology at university and, once I had finished my course I became an analyst – which I found very boring as I had to look at excel spreadsheets for hours on end! But it was in this job that I first heard about the role of an intermediary from one of my colleagues. I started to research the role and it really appealed to me. I’ve always been interested in court. My Granddad became a magistrate when he retired, and growing up, I always loved hearing his stories from the courtroom. However, I was never drawn to a career in law. So, when I heard about the role of an intermediary, I was very excited at the prospect.

My job as an intermediary is to assist individuals with communication difficulties going through court proceedings. This is usually in either the criminal or family court. In this blog post, I will take you through a recent week in my intermediary life! However, it’s important to remember that no two weeks are the same for an intermediary. Each new week brings new cases, new people and fresh chances to have a positive impact on an individual’s access to justice.

Monday

My week started with a remote family court case. Working from my home, I emailed the solicitor to try and arrange pre-hearing discussions so I could talk with the service user to introduce myself, build rapport and explore how we could communicate during the hearing.

Unfortunately, I did not get a response. Despite making lots of different phone calls, by 9:30 (when the court hearing was due to start) I still had not had any contact from the solicitor, nor received a link for the court hearing itself.

After continuously trying to make contact, I was finally sent the link to the hearing – well after court had already started! I joined mid-way through the hearing and made a note of what was said. After the hearing, I tried to arrange a post-hearing conference to explore the service user’s understanding of the hearing and to provide support with any areas of difficulty. Unfortunately, this was also not possible. I then updated the case notes so the next intermediary who works with this service user can check their understanding of the case.

This was a frustrating start to the week, as usually remote hearings are much more straightforward than this. In the majority of cases, contact numbers are available and it is straightforward to set up a pre- and post- hearing discussion. It is also very rare that an intermediary is only provided access to the hearing part-way through. Typically, at the outset of remote hearings, ground rules are discussed with the intermediary, so everyone is appraised of any needs the service user may have and knows how remote intermediary assistance will be managed.

Equally, by the time most remote hearings start, I’ve usually had a chance to speak with the service user. At this stage, I typically explore the best options for providing remote assistance (either through an open phone line during the hearing, by using a CVP intermediary room or by text messaging during the hearing – all dependant on the technology available to the service user, and their level of literacy). In most cases, by the time hearings commence, myself and the service user will have exchanged numbers and set up a method of communication, to ensure they have access to simplification, recaps and other assistance. Today, things didn’t go so smoothly, but it can only get better from here!

Tuesday

Tuesday was supposed to be a day to catch up on admin work but, at approximately 10:30am, I received a call from the Communicourt bookings team asking me to cover a last-minute family court hearing. To make matters more interesting, the person I would be assisting needed some further assessment to gain a full understanding of their communication abilities.

By 11am I was on a Zoom call with the service user, conducting some further assessment tasks which looked at some areas of communication that had not been previously assessed. After this, I gave their barrister a quick call to update him on the new findings, before entering the remote family court case.

The court hearing was about ensuring the individual would be able to participate in the upcoming in-person hearing effectively. I addressed the judge and gave some recommendations to the court about what would help this person participate to the best of their ability. The judge agreed to all of my recommendations which included:

Advocates for all parties to send their proposed questions to the intermediary in advance of the service user’s evidence (to allow the intermediary to check the questions are worded and structured in a way that will be best understood by the service user – allowing them to give their best evidence).
Permission for the service user to remain in their usual seat in the body of the court during their evidence (due to high levels of anxiety).
Only one advocate to ask questions on behalf of all parties (to help minimise the impact of anxiety upon their ability to process questions and formulate responses).
Frequent breaks (with recommended timings).
Permission for the service user to make use of an attention aid (tangle toy) at court.

Wednesday

On Wednesday I had a break from the family court and instead attended a conference with a young person facing criminal proceedings. They were someone I have assisted before, so I already knew a bit about their communication profile, but I reminded myself of their communication needs by reviewing their intermediary report and cognitive report in advance. I also reminded myself of the case by reading the intermediary case notes.

It was then time to attend the conference, after a short walk over to the solicitor’s office, I helped the service user to understand the process of a trial by creating a simple court diagram showing who will be sat where and by explaining the job of each person in the room. I also used a visual aid to help the service user decide whether he will be plead ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’ by using a flowchart to explain each option and the potential outcomes of both. Throughout our meeting, I intervened to check the service user’s understanding and simplified any low frequency language his barrister used, this helped the service user give clear instructions and follow what was being said.

Ficticious example only, does not include key information (e.g., impact on sentence)

Thursday

On Thursday I attended another conference, this time with someone who had a very important family court hearing coming up. Again, this was a service user I had previously worked with and so I already had an understanding of their communication abilities, but it is still important to frequently remind myself of the individual’s case and communication profile. I re-read the intermediary report and case notes in advance of the meeting.

During the meeting, I assisted the solicitor to ask questions in a way that made sense to the individual and allowed him to give clear responses.

For example, the solicitor asked, “So you don’t agree with what the local authority want?”. This is a statement-style question which invites agreement (making it harder for more suggestible people to contradict). It also included a negative (“don’t”), which can prompt unclear answers.

I therefore asked the service user, “What do social services want?” and, “What do you want?”. This enabled me to check the service user understood what other parties in the case were asking for, and also enabled the service user to provide clear instructions.

We then spoke about what sort of recommendations could be made in court to aid the service user’s participation in the upcoming hearing. For example, asking the court to sit for shorter days, due to the service user’s difficulties with concentration, and asking for regular breaks, so the intermediary can check understanding and allow time for the service user to ask any questions.

Friday

Friday brings yet another new court case to my calendar. I assisted a young person who I have worked with numerous times before. Today was an in-person family court hearing, which involved taking an early morning train to court. Whilst on the train, I read through the report and case notes to remind myself of exactly what sort of support was required.

When I arrived in court, I met the service user and barrister, and we found a quiet space to have pre-hearing discussions. During this conversation, I assisted the service user’s understanding by explaining low frequency vocabulary (less commonly used words) and asking questions to check they had understood what was being said.

For example, when the barrister said, “The local authority’s position is ambiguous right now” I explained that meant, “The social workers are not being clear about what they want”.

At the end of the conference, in order to check the service user’s understanding, I asked specific questions such as, “What does *NAME* want to happen?” and, “Why are you having an assessment?”. These questions enabled me to check that the service user had gained a clear understanding of what had been discussed.

After a break, it was then time to enter the courtroom. I sat with the service user and whispered real time explanations to them throughout the proceedings. For example, when one of the barrister’s said *NAME’s* statement has been “filed and served”, I whispered to the service user, “The court have got a copy of *NAME’s* statement”. I also drew a simple line drawing of the courtroom to show who was sitting where and what their job was. This assisted the service user to understand who was speaking on behalf of who.

Simple line drawing of a family courtroom, labelled with roles of different parties and professionals. — Ficticious example (does not include names)

At one juncture, they made an important comment to me, so I passed a note forward to the barrister. The barrister then addressed the judge on this point. After the hearing, we had a quick conversation with counsel to go over what was said in court. I checked the service user had understood everything by asking focussed questions and asking them to explain what had happened in court in their own words.

It was then time to go home. On my train home I completed some admin tasks and wrote up the case notes from the day.

Working as a Communicourt intermediary requires resilience and adaptability. It is an extremely rewarding role, where every day is interesting and new. The job is unpredictable and unforeseen circumstances arise all the time, but every day brings new stories, unexpected twists, new challenges and the chance to make a positive difference to people facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

If you would like to learn more about the intermediary role at different stages of family and criminal proceedings, visit The Access Brief. A growing library of free resources developed for legal professionals working with clients who have communication needs, including guides to working with clients who have a range of common conditions which impact communication.