header-logo header-logo

25 February 2021 / Felicity Gerry KC
Issue: 7922 / Categories: Features , In Court , Training & education
printer mail-detail

Trauma-informed courts (Pt 2)

40733
Felicity Gerry QC provides some practical considerations for trauma-informed court practices
  • The pervasiveness of trauma can create acute challenges for the criminal justice system; a number of practical changes can be implemented to help develop a trauma-informed approach for the benefit of all court users.

‘Trauma informed care is not an evidence-based intervention with fidelity measures and clearly outlined strategies, nor is there a single definition’ (Yatchmenoff D et al, ‘Implementing Trauma-Informed Care: Recommendations on the Process’, 2017 Advances in Social Work 18(1):167).

This is the second in a two-part series on trauma-informed courts. Part 1 suggested that courts taking a trauma-informed approach is an integral aspect of procedural fairness and any failure to do so impacts on court integrity (see ‘Trauma-informed courts (Pt 1)'). This Part 2 provides practical proposals for trauma-informed practices, some of which are already developing in the context of human trafficking.

Introduction

Trauma-informed care is now recognised across most health and human services systems. Providers are calling for concrete examples of

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

NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

Nikki Bowker, head of dispute resolution at Devonshires, on career resilience, diversity in law and channelling Elle Woods when the pressure is on

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Leasehold enfranchisement specialist joins residential property team

DWF—Chris Air

DWF—Chris Air

Firm strengthens commercial team in Manchester with partner appointment

NEWS
The government will aim to pass legislation banning leasehold for new flats and capping ground rent, introducing non-compulsory digital ID and creating a ‘duty of candour’ for public servants (also known as the Hillsborough law) in the next Parliament

An Italian financier has lost his bid to block his Australian wife from filing divorce papers in England on the basis it was no longer her domicile of choice

Reforms to the disclosure regime in the business and property courts have not achieved their objectives, lawyers have warned
The Law Society has urged ministers to hold a public consultation on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the justice system as a whole
Ministers have proposed bringing inquest work under a single fee scheme for legal help and advocacy legal aid work
back-to-top-scroll