Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Accepted
Paragraph: 42
Public understanding of court proceedings and attendance rights requires enhancement.
Conclusion
HMCTS should institute a programme of open days to encourage the public to visit their local courts, for example during Justice Week. This programme should be used to improve the awareness of both the public and HMCTS staff of the public’s right to attend court proceedings. Furthermore, there should be a programme to encourage schools to organise visits to their local courts to improve public legal education.
Government Response Summary
The government highlights existing locally-led community outreach, school visits, mock trial competitions, and judicial engagement programmes already in place to improve public legal education and court awareness.
Paragraph Reference:
42
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
54. Judges and HMCTS staff working in our courts and tribunals undertake locally led community outreach work, hosting visits from schools, colleges, and universities – including ‘mock trials’ for young students – and occasional open days for the general public. 55. Nationally, HMCTS awards an annual grant to an educational charity, to support its running of a ‘Magistrates’ Mock Trial ‘Competition’.50 Furthermore, our courts have orientation services to support victims and witnesses before their hearings. We also engage with social mobility outreach and have delivered over 400 work experience placements this year.51 56. There is an established judicial outreach programme too. For example, the Schools Engagement Programme, undertaken by the independent judiciary, is an initiative which aims to provide primary and secondary school students with a greater understanding 49 https://www.gov.uk/find-court-tribunal 50 https://smartlaw.org.uk/mock-trials/magistrates-court-mock-trials-teachers/ 51 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/social-mobility-outreach-opportunities of the judiciary’s work. This involves interactive judge visits to schools, ‘Question Time’ events, the facilitation of learning materials, and more. Equipped with knowledge about the justice system, it is important that pupils from all walks of life feel a sense of empowerment to speak on fundamental constitutional principles and, should they wish, pursue a career in the law.52 The Magistrates’ Association53 also has a ‘Magistrates in the Community’ programme.54 57. The Attorney General’s Office55 (AGO) holds the broader portfolio for Public Legal Education (PLE) and is considering what can be done to improve public awareness of the justice system. How the Government supports PLE, and how we can work with others to facilitate it, may form part of the aforementioned call for evidence later in 2023.