Our quarterly Communicourt team days are always full of learning, connection and celebration of achievements.  At each event we hold the LOVE Awards - recognising colleagues who have gone above and beyond in exemplifying our values of Collaboration, Innovation, Courage, Respect and Diversity.

Thank you, @lalyawards.bsky.social, it was a real pleasure to sponsor this year's awards. We heard so many inspiring stories, and loved connecting with so many solicitors and barristers with a real passion for ensuring the meaningful, effective participation of their clients. @wearelapg.bsky.social

#LALY25 An outstanding person and a game changing silk, making a difference to so many vulnerable asylum seekers' lives @lalyawards.bsky.social #stephanieharrisonKC @gardencourtlaw.bsky.social @communicourt.bsky.social

A fantastic celebration of our amazing Legal Aid Lawyers! Congratulations to you all! 🥳 @lalyawards.bsky.social @communicourt.bsky.social #LALY25

#LALY25 @lalyawards.bsky.social amazing people receiving much deserved recognition! 👏👏 @communicourt.bsky.social

The Communicourt team are getting their glad rags on ahead of the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards #LALY25 this evening. We're really proud to be sponsoring this event, which celebrates some of the most exceptional, socially-minded legal practitioners in practice.

We were delighted to read about the person-centred, multi-modal approach our intermediary used to ensure this court user could participate effectively in proceedings. Read more feedback from barristers judges & service users here: https://www.communicourt.co.uk/referral-booking-howto/testimonials/

We're published on the @ilpaimmigration.bsky.social ‬today, exploring the importance of - and barriers to - timely identification of communication differences and difficulties in #immigration matters: http://bit.ly/3IhbJc8 #intermediary

"I wanted to say a quick thank you to an amazing solicitor who I worked with in a conference recently...". In honour of #LALY25, we asked Communicourt intermediaries what they -really-think about the Legal Aid practitioners they've worked alongside. Here's what they told us... @wearelapg.bsky.social

Nice summary on association between #DLD and #mentalhealth . Often assumed to only impact language, flow on effects are important to recognise, identify, and support. www.wpspublish.com/blog/develop...

Delighted to be joining the #LondonLegalWalk2025 tomorrow, to help raise money for free legal advice charities. Donate here: londonlegalsupporttrust.org.uk/donate-today/. Pick the brains of @communicourtchris.bsky.social and Sue Mahay about the role of intermediaries in #AccessToJustice en route!

In this month's Moment that Made a Difference, Angela* (intermediary) worked with Claire (a mother in care proceedings). Although Claire did not have capacity in the case, it remained vital that she could participate as effectively as possible, and give her views. [*names and details changed]

Huge congratulations to all of the incredible Legal Aid Lawyers who have just been announced as finalists at the #LALY25 Awards. But what do intermediaries -really- think about the Legal Aid solicitors and barristers they work alongside? Here's what they had to say... @wearelapg.bsky.social

"I wanted to say a quick thank you to an amazing solicitor who I worked with in a conference recently...". In honour of #LALY25, we asked Communicourt intermediaries what they -really-think about the Legal Aid practitioners they've worked alongside. Here's what they told us... @wearelapg.bsky.social

.@WeAreLAPG is proud to announce 📢 the 30 finalists in this year's Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards. For an insight into the doggedness 🐶& brilliance 🌟of lawyers at the social justice coalface, look no further than our #LALY25 shortlist....... lapg.co.uk/lapg-announc...

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and we’ve been thinking about the relationship between mental health and communication.

Next week we launch our new research with @centreforcare.bsky.social on reducing the risk of CJS involvement for children in contact with the care system. Sign up to hear from Anna Leyland, senior researcher, Caroline Adams, @CollegeofPolice & Charlene Richardson, Safer Options. ow.ly/LOoX50VTLzn

Legal proceedings often involve large amounts of written material - from initial documents to evidence and orders. For some, accessing and understanding this information can be challenging. Small changes in how we share information can make a big difference to participation and access to justice.

This month's 'Moment That Made a Difference' addressed the impacts emotional dysregulation can have on an individual's ability to direct their attention, take in information and engage in effective communication - skills vital to effective participation in legal conferences and giving instructions.

A great illustration of how inaccessible communication around bail conditions can be (whether due to communication needs or reduced access to technology) - and how important it is to check understanding directly.

Thanks to @yorkshirelegalnews.bsky.social for this Q&A with intermediary (and Yorkshire local!) Tegan, unpacking her role & what she wishes legal professionals knew about communication needs: https://www.yorkshirelegalnews.co.uk/breaking-down-legal-language-inside-the-role-of-a-court-intermediary/

#LALY25 nominations are CLOSED⛔! Thank you to all the wonderful folk who submitted entries which our judges are v much looking forward to reading. Finalists announced mid-May, so watch this space 👁️ Winners announced at our🌟glittering🌟 ceremony on 4 July - put that date in your calendars now😘

Necessity is the mother of intermediaries (And I am exceedingly pleased with this post title) www.pinktape.co.uk/cases/necess...

What does the new Court of Appeal judgment regarding intermediaries mean for Family Court users with communication needs? Read our highlights, reflections & action points: https://www.communicourt.co.uk/news/reaffirming-necessity-court-of-appeal-clarifies-test-for-intermediaries-communicourt-digest/

After overturning a decision to refuse intermediary assistance for a mother in care proceedings, the full Court of Appeal judgment in Re M (A Child Intermediaries) 2025 EWCA Civ 440 has been published https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2025/440.html&query=(intermediary)

'Time to nominate your legal aid heroes for this uniquely inspiring event' #LALY25 organisers @wearelapg.bsky.social Chris Minnoch @fionabawdon.bsky.social in April's @legalactiongroup.bsky.social magazine on why - 23 years on - the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards have *finally* come of age.....

Caroline made an impact in supporting a service user experiencing anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and challenges with concentration. These factors were affecting her ability to follow the flow of proceedings.

⚠️Have you listened to our new podcast episode yet? Hosts @penelopegibbs.bsky.social and Rob Allen are joined by David Breakspear and @oxonadvisory.com to explore the relationship between neurodivergence and the criminal justice system. ➡️ Listen now! pod.fo/e/2c2982

(1/6) 17 days to go! Don't miss the opportunity to nominate a Legal Aid Lawyer for the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards @lalyawards.bsky.social : https://lapg.co.uk/lalys/laly-nomination/ (keep reading thread for compliments!)...⬇️ #LALY25

We are extremely grateful to Julie Doughty and @seethrujustice.transparencyproject.org.uk for their coverage of this hearing, and we're very pleased that the mother in this case will now recieve the assistance required to effectively participate in complex proceedings, after this successful appeal.

For those interested, this hearing is ongoing and available to watch live here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qeW...

We are observing Court of Appeal livestream an appeal against a family court decision not to allow a mother to have an intermediary to assist her in care proceedings. Unfortunately the court mics don't seem to be working very well!

(1/6) Each quarter, we attend a Saturday Team Day, focussed on learning, connecting with colleagues and marking achievements. At each event we celebrate the LOVE Awards - recognising colleagues who live our values through their work.

From ADHD UK: To rebut recent media claims, we've updated our page on the ADHD diagnosis rate. Now with the latest data it is fact based rebuttal to over-diagnosis claims with clear data to the contrary - we have under-diagnosis of ADHD. adhduk.co.uk/adhd-diagnosis-rate-uk

✨Happy Neurodiversity Celebration Week #NDCW25 to all who celebrate!✨ (1/3) Continual learning about neurodivergence is vital both to the work our intermediaries do in legal settings, and to our culture as a team.

March 21st is World Down’s syndrome Day. This year, the message is a really important one and I fully support this message. #DownSyndrome

Our team of intermediaries work alongside so many outstanding legal aid lawyers, so it's a real pleasure to be sponsoring #LALY25. Make your nominations by 22nd April to avoid Spike's disappointment!

The last of our posts this #InternationalWomensDay, intermediary Becky shares her experience of working in an organisation where women are highly represented in leadership roles. #IWD doesn't end here, view events taking place throughout March at:  https://www.internationalwomensday.com/EventSearch

Turning to another of our female department leads this International Womens Day - Lucy is our lead practitioner and our longest serving intermediary at Communicourt. #IWD https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Next up, our #InternationalWomensDay spotlight turns to Sue, who leads our Client Relationship Team. Looking for ways for participate this IWD? Visit https://www.internationalwomensday.com/EventSearch to view events taking place in your area throughout the month of March.

First up, Tegan from our intermediary team shares her thoughts on working in a majority female organisation this #InternationalWomensDay #IWD https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

(1/2) Happy International Women's Day! This event is special to Communicourt. 95% of us identify as women. Throughout the day, we'll spotlight some of our amazing colleagues and their experiences of working within a majority female organisation. Stay tuned for more from Sue, Lucy, Tegan & Becky!

We are thrilled to announce we will be sponsoring the Criminal Defence category at this year's LALY Awards 2025! Nominations are now open and can be made at https://lapg.co.uk/lalys/laly-nomination/. Submissions will be accepted until the closing date of 22nd of April. #LALY25

(1/5) Complex legal concepts can take time and extra support to understand, particularly when a court user has communication needs. [Alt text available on each image in thread]

💬"It was quiet then talking, quiet then talking, quiet then listening"💬 - The words of a 13yo defendant show the interplay of stress and communication at court, in our new expert webinar 'Children, Sentencing & Communication' now on The Access Brief  https://www.communicourt.co.uk/the-access-brief

Communicourt's lead practitioner Lucy Osmond joined the Today's Family Lawyer podcast to share her insights into how communication impacts participation in family proceedings, the importance of tailored support, and the varied and often hidden role of an intermediary. www.podbean.com/ew/dir-idv4c...

NEW WEBINAR: Understanding a young person's communication needs is a crucial part of ensuring sentences are delivered in the most accessible manner for them. However, it's very important to be aware of the high level of underdiagnosis among young people involved in the justice system...

(1/6) In this month's Moment that Made a Difference, Jamal* (an intermediary) assisted Craig, a father involved in care proceedings. *names and details have been changed.

New practice guidance ‘The use of Intermediaries, Lay Advocates and Cognitive Assessments in the Family Court’,  was issued by the President of the Family Division on 23 January. The guidance is quite brief and refers to three court judgments... https://transparencyproject.org.uk/?p=29269

(1/2) NEW WEBINAR: Clear, effective communication of sentence is not only a legal requirement, it stands to improve outcomes in the Criminal Justice System, and particularly in cases involving children. ⬇️