Participation in Courts and Tribunals
Concepts, Realities and Aspirations
Edited by Jessica Jacobson and Penny Cooper
Published
Sep 30, 2020Page count
144 pagesISBN
978-1529211290Dimensions
203 x 127 mmImprint
Bristol University PressPublished
Sep 30, 2020Page count
144 pagesISBN
978-1529211306Imprint
Bristol University Press
Participation in Courts and Tribunals
In the media
On our blog: POLICY BRIEFING: Participation in Courts and Tribunals
Available Open Access under CC-BY-NC licence
Effective participation in court and tribunal hearings is regarded as essential to justice, yet many barriers limit the capacity of defendants, parties and witnesses to participate.
Featuring policy analysis, courtroom observations and practitioners’ voices, this significant study reveals how participation is supported in the courts and tribunals of England and Wales. Including reflections on changes to the justice system as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it also details the socio-structural, environmental, procedural, cultural and personal factors which constrain participation.
This is an invaluable resource that makes a compelling case for a principled, explicit commitment to supporting participation across the justice system of England and Wales and beyond.
"This book provides an insightful analysis of what it means for people to participate in the justice system. It presents a novel way of looking at this important question that will be of great use to scholars, practitioners and policymakers alike." Joe Tomlinson, University of York
"An engaging, accessible and much-needed exploration of the multifaceted nature of participation in courts and tribunals." Abenaa Owusu-Bempah, London School of Economics
“Ensuring people can participate meaningfully in the justice system has become increasingly important over the past decade with court modernisation initiatives, cuts to legal aid, and an increase in litigants without legal representation. In addition, the COVID-19 crisis has accelerated moves towards remote justice. In this period of change, we warmly welcome this new study which, through its careful consideration of what effective participation in justice really means, has the potential to improve people’s access to and experiences of the justice system.” Rob Street, Nuffield Foundation
Jessica Jacobson is Director of the Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (ICPR) and Professor of Criminal Justice at Birkbeck, University of London.
Penny Cooper is Visiting Professor at the Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (ICPR) at Birkbeck, University of London.
Chapter authors:
Gillian Hunter is Senior Research Fellow the Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (ICPR) at Birkbeck, University of London.
Amy Kirby is Lecturer in Criminology the Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (ICPR) at Birkbeck, University of London.
Introduction ~ Jessica Jacobson
Policy and Practice Supporting Lay Participation ~ Gillian Hunter
Conceptualising Participation: Practitioner Accounts ~ Amy Kirby
Observed Realities of Participation ~ Jessica Jacobson
Looking Ahead: Towards a Principled Approach to Supporting Participation ~ Penny Cooper
