‘I was totally in the dark about what was going to happen, and without the charity’s support I think I still would be totally in the dark. I got a lot of confidence once I gained clarity on what I was going to say.’ – Support Through Court Client, London
Every year, thousands of people must represent themselves in court. Support Through Court exists to empower people facing court alone. These are people who may be facing divorce, eviction from their home, or losing access to their children. In an unfamiliar courtroom, up against a party with legal representation, the process can be stressful and confusing.
Support Through Court, formerly the Personal Support Unit (PSU), helps people facing court alone to represent themselves with dignity, supporting them so they have the fairest possible hearing. With courts based across the country and nearly 500 volunteers, Support Through Court are well placed to guide litigants in person before, during and after court. Their volunteers support people at times of extreme stress, enabling them to present their case to the best of their ability. This gives them a far greater chance of accessing justice, as well as having a direct impact on the outcome of a client’s case and in consequence on the rest of their lives.
Tailored to each individual, Support Through Court’s volunteers provide wide-ranging help, eg providing legal information, explaining what would happen in court, helping people to fill out complicated legal forms, and supporting them as they plan what they would like to say to the judge.
As you’ll likely be aware, in April 2013, the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPO) implemented large changes to legal aid. Most social welfare law (education, employment, debt, housing, immigration and welfare benefits) and private law children and family cases are now out of scope for legal aid. This has forced more people into a situation where, if they wish to access justice, they must do so without legal representation. Support Through Court has seen a rise in the number of people approaching them for support in the years since LASPO. A key part of the Legal Services Board’s 10-year strategy, addressing disadvantage is a shared goal; it’s heartening to see a sector-wide shift towards ensuring litigants can achieve fairer outcomes.
Support Through Court will continue to adapt to work in new and innovative ways to ensure that everyone has fair and equal access to justice. It’s delighted to announce new services in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, Cardiff University, Birmingham City University, Sheffield University, and Leeds Beckett University. The majority of these new services will be based in university accommodation. Supported by students from partner universities, the charity provides students with opportunities to develop in their careers, learn important new skills and provide a vital service to their surrounding community. The new university-based services allow students more freedom and flexibility in volunteering with Support Through Court, over more hours and so they can gain broad experience for the future.
Unfortunately, the numbers of people representing themselves aren’t set to decrease overnight. But, thanks to committed law firms and others investing in the charity’s work, Support Through Court will continue to be there for people facing court alone. Alongside new university partnerships, the charity works closely with the Litigants in Person Support Strategy (LIPSS) group, a national partnership of charities working together to improve the experience of people facing the legal process alone. With so many people looking for support, legal advice and mediation, this partnership allows for the charities to better meet the needs of people who can’t afford a lawyer, improving their chance of a fair hearing. Going to court alone can be terrifying. That’s why it’s great to have a Support Through Court volunteer by your side throughout that process. Likewise, trying to make changes to a complex system is daunting, which is why Support Through Court is delighted to be working with exceptional organisations committed to providing a wide range of support to people facing court alone. The charity is happy to hear from anyone passionate about access to justice and looking for ways to get involved.
Find out more about the charity: www.supportthroughcourt.org
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