header-logo header-logo

Trauma-informed courts (Pt 1)

03 February 2021 / Felicity Gerry KC
Issue: 7919 / Categories: Features , In Court , Training & education
printer mail-detail
38174
Felicity Gerry QC on why being trauma-informed is an issue for court integrity
  • Adopting a trauma-informed approach is an integral aspect of procedural fairness for the courts, and any failure to do so can impact on court integrity.

Experts agree, however, that essential components of trauma-informed care include awareness of the prevalence of trauma, understanding about the impact on service utilization and engagement, and commitment to incorporating those understandings in policy, procedure, and practice’ (Yatchmenoff D et al, ‘Implementing Trauma-Informed Care: Recommendations on the Process’, 2017 Advances in Social Work 18(1):167).

This is the first in a two-part series on trauma-informed courts. Part 1 suggests that courts taking a trauma-informed approach is an integral aspect of procedural fairness, and any failure to do so impacts on court integrity. Part 2 provides practical proposals for trauma-informed practices.

Introduction

The integrity of a criminal justice system is linked to trustworthiness and fairness. It exists in a cultural context and is associated with the moral authority of the individual and the organisation.

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll