Communicourt is dedicated to enhancing court accessibility through intermediary services.
- As a major facilitator, Communicourt provides intermediaries for 80% of court cases needing such assistance.
- Yorkshire lawyers have access to new free resources aimed at aiding clients with communication challenges.
- Despite being crucial, awareness of intermediary services is unevenly distributed between Northern and Southern England.
- Communicourt is striving to bridge this gap and make legal proceedings accessible to all, regardless of location.
Communicourt stands as the leading provider of intermediary services within both the criminal and family courts across England and Wales. Their pivotal role involves assisting individuals with communication difficulties in navigating the complex court systems. With intermediaries managing 80% of cases under the HMCTS Appointed Intermediary Service framework, Communicourt’s efforts focus on assessing and addressing specific communication needs, ensuring that clients can effectively participate in court proceedings.
To support legal practitioners, particularly those in Yorkshire, Communicourt has innovated their approach by developing an accessible referral system that simplifies the process for busy legal professionals. A notable resource is ‘The Access Brief’, an online library comprising quick-reference factsheets, written by intermediaries and experts, which detail various communication conditions such as autism, stammering, and dementia.
The geographic divide in intermediary service usage is concerning, with a stark contrast between Northern and Southern England. This disparity is attributed to a lack of awareness about the availability and benefits of such services in the North. By sponsoring events like the Yorkshire Legal Awards and holding conferences in Leeds, Communicourt aims to promote awareness and utilisation of intermediary services, thereby facilitating equal access to justice across regions.
Communicourt’s mission remains clear: to ensure equitable access to legal proceedings for individuals facing communication challenges, irrespective of their geographic location.
