Communicourt
@communicourt.bsky.social
500 followers 310 following 190 posts
Provider of HMCTS Appointed Court Intermediaries across England and Wales. We support the effective participation of court users with communication needs in #legal proceedings. Learn more: www.communicourt.co.uk
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What does the new Court of Appeal judgment regarding intermediaries mean for Family Court users with communication needs? Read our highlights, reflections & action points: https://www.communicourt.co.uk/news/reaffirming-necessity-court-of-appeal-clarifies-test-for-intermediaries-communicourt-digest/
communicourt.bsky.social
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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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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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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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.
communicourt.bsky.social
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.
communicourt.bsky.social
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.
communicourt.bsky.social
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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communicourtchris.bsky.social
#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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communicourtchris.bsky.social
A fantastic celebration of our amazing Legal Aid Lawyers! Congratulations to you all! 🥳 @lalyawards.bsky.social @communicourt.bsky.social #LALY25
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communicourtchris.bsky.social
#LALY25 @lalyawards.bsky.social amazing people receiving much deserved recognition! 👏👏 @communicourt.bsky.social
communicourt.bsky.social
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! https://www.communicourt.co.uk/news/were-sponsoring-the-legal-aid-lawer-of-the-year-awards-laly25/
communicourt.bsky.social
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).
communicourt.bsky.social
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.
communicourt.bsky.social
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: https://www.communicourt.co.uk/referral-booking-howto/testimonials/
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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: http://bit.ly/3IhbJc8 #intermediary
Top: ILPA logo

Below: A torn-looking extract from ILPA blog "Supporting Access to Justive in Immigration Tribunals: Identifying Communication Needs Beyond a Language Barrier". Extract has a photo of two women talking.

Below: Quote from article: "Practical barriers to diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental condition [include] the cost of obtaining a diagnosis or the geographical availability of health services, as well as assessment tools not designed for people outside the ‘Cultural West’”
Reposted by Communicourt
communicourt.bsky.social
"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
communicourt.bsky.social
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!
A square image, split in half. Left side: Dark blue background, featuring the London Legal Walk logo in yellow and white. Below, text reads "Join me on Tuesday 17t June. Paving the way for equal access to justice."

Right side: An image from a previous London Legal Walk in central London. Walkers can be seen near a red double decker, in front of tall buildings. Behind the walkers is an inflatable yellow and white archway for the London Legal Walk.
communicourt.bsky.social
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]
communicourt.bsky.social
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
communicourt.bsky.social
"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
Reposted by Communicourt
lalyawards.bsky.social
.@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...
communicourt.bsky.social
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: https://www.communicourt.co.uk/the-access-brief/
Green background, white Communicourt logo. Two examples of guides from The Access Brief are featured - one is about Anxiety, the other about communication needs in conferences. 
Text in a darker green circle reads: 
Download free, bite-sized guides from The Access Brief
Our guides explore how to support communication when working with clients with needs relating to Anxiety, Depression and Emotional Regulation
communicourt.bsky.social
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.