Strategic Public Engagement Group Meeting – February 2024
Published 15 April 2024
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1. Introductions and Welcomes
This is a summary of the discussions from the Strategic Public Engagement Group meeting held on 6 February 2024, held remotely. It was co-chaired by The Hon. Mr. Justice Robin Knowles CBE and Miriam Davidson (Head of User Inclusion - HMCTS).
Senior leaders from advice sector organisations and networks met with HMCTS officials for the third time under the new engagement framework.
2. HMCTS Reform Evaluation Vulnerability Study
The Head of HMCTS Reform Evaluation Team presented a study to the group which focussed on how people with certain vulnerabilities engage with the justice system. It covered what barriers and enablers exist for vulnerable users engaging with the justice system.
The discussion focused on the findings from the study and collecting feedback from stakeholders on recommendations made. The discussion highlighted how vulnerabilities can be situational and applied to different court and tribunal users. The importance of providing accessible and clear documents for end users was emphasised. The group fed back that the research findings shown, largely aligned with the experience of supporting individuals within their organisations. Members suggested more prominent signposting to their organisations resources whilst managing user expectations to take account of third sector capacity constraints.
3. At-Court Support Research
The HMCTS User Inclusion team gave the group an overview of the objectives and the research work being carried out to identify user needs and support provided in courts and tribunals.
The discussion focused on an early subset of findings and insights around users’ experience within court and tribunal buildings. Some of the findings included the importance of building strong working relationships between court staff, the judiciary and the third sector organisations delivering support to users in HMCTS buildings. The group also discussed the importance of increasing visibility of support available to end users. Members feedback how some of the findings reflected their experiences, providing examples of ‘good practice’. The discussion focused on the importance of good communications, signposting and relationships between court staff and third sector organisations.
4. Next Meeting
The next meeting is planned for 5 June 2024.