Communicourt
@communicourt.bsky.social
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
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".
July 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
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".
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.
July 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
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.
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.
July 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
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.
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.
July 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
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.
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.
July 10, 2025 at 1:15 PM
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.
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
July 8, 2025 at 10:53 AM
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
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/
July 4, 2025 at 2:40 PM
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/
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.
July 4, 2025 at 2:40 PM
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.
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/
June 30, 2025 at 1:03 PM
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/
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’”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:tnu2virswklmjexq67qpued5/bafkreibxteuuyooxv75m5xlbb4rrtwzbtf5mqiunke54xqxix6ase2urna@jpeg)
June 26, 2025 at 10:11 AM
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
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!
June 16, 2025 at 8:51 AM
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!
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]
[*names and details changed]
June 13, 2025 at 2:07 PM
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]
[*names and details changed]
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
May 23, 2025 at 8:24 AM
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
"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
May 23, 2025 at 7:30 AM
"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
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/
May 16, 2025 at 3:39 PM
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/
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.
May 16, 2025 at 3:39 PM
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.
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and we’ve been thinking about the relationship between mental health and communication.
May 16, 2025 at 3:39 PM
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and we’ve been thinking about the relationship between mental health and communication.
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.
May 12, 2025 at 11:03 PM
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.
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: https://bit.ly/3F2bsZB)
May 12, 2025 at 11:02 PM
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: https://bit.ly/3F2bsZB)
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.
May 12, 2025 at 11:02 PM
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.
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.
May 12, 2025 at 11:02 PM
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.
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.
May 12, 2025 at 11:02 PM
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.
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.
May 12, 2025 at 11:02 PM
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.
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.
May 12, 2025 at 11:02 PM
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.
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.
Small changes in how we share information can make a big difference to participation and access to justice.
May 12, 2025 at 11:02 PM
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.
Small changes in how we share information can make a big difference to participation and access to justice.