CourtWatch London in the Law Gazette! 👀
🔗➡️And have a read of our brand new report exploring efficiency (or lack thereof) in London magistrates' courts here: www.transformjustice.org.uk/publication/...
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/over-a-...
💡New Insight 💡
Drawing on our new @courtwatchldn.bsky.social report, @penelopegibbs.bsky.social explores the magistrates' court backlog and what courtwatchers had to say about efficiency in the courts.
🔗 www.transformjustice.org.uk/news-insight...
CourtWatch London in the Telegraph! @telegraph.co.uk
We've analysed courtwatcher observations from over 2300 hearings across London, to find out what kind of inefficiencies are contributing to the court backlog.
🔗Check out the findings: www.transformjustice.org.uk/publication/...
⚠️ New CourtWatch London report!
It’s finally here… the culmination of more than 2300+ magistrates’ court hearings observed, recorded and analysed. A massive thank you to all of our volunteer courtwatchers for making this possible!
Read it now:
🔗 transformjustice.org.uk/publication/...
💡New Insight 💡
Dr Jill Harbord of University of Sussex explores the marginalisation of people facing homelessness in our magistrates' courts. Read it now ⬇️
@sheltercharity.bsky.social | @crisis-uk.bsky.social | @stmungos.bsky.social
www.transformjustice.org.uk/news-insight...
🔗 Explore our work on out-of-court resolutions here: www.transformjustice.org.uk/focus-areas/... and let us know your thoughts below ⬇️
#CourtWatchLondon #TransformJustice #OutofCourtResolutions
🧵[8/8]
With over a million people going through the magistrates’ courts each year, is it really sensible to keep relying on an overstretched system, especially when court sanctions are often less effective at preventing future crime?
🧵[7/8]
👁️🗨️“I feel that this matter [speeding] could have been dealt with in another and more efficient way…huge bureaucracy! and another time waster.”
🧵[6/8]
👁️🗨️“Not sure what else could be done in a situation like this [stealing groceries] especially with other similar convictions. Since they stem from poverty, jail & fines are unlikely to improve things. It seems like the justice system isn't the solution, but has to be.”
🧵[5/8]
👁️🗨️“This is yet another case [criminal damage, harrassment] where mental health issues are at the heart of the incident, and I am not clear why it could not be resolved without resorting to the courts.”
🧵[4/8]
👁️🗨️“Dealing with cannabis possession amounted to 50% cases witnessed today. Can't they [the police] give a fixed penalty notice?”
🧵[3/8]
👁️🗨️“I only wish the court had offered to look into possible rehabilitation services for the defendant, as he already had two previous drink-related charges. I wonder if this is a case that could have been better handled with an out-of-court disposal.”
🧵[2/8]
Courtwatchers have been questioning whether some cases belong in court at all.
At @transformjustice.bsky.social, we’ve long argued that many offences could be resolved better outside of court.
See what some courtwatchers had to say below ⬇️
🧵[1/8]
How can courts ensure that every defendant feels seen and heard throughout the process? We’d love to hear your thoughts below ⬇️
#CourtWatchLondon #CourtWatch #AccesstoJustice #TransformJustice
🧵[7/7]
It’s understandable that, in a system under immense pressure, staff may not always feel they have time for these brief acts of recognition. But for defendants, being acknowledged and included in proceedings that may change their lives is more than a nicety, it’s about dignity and fairness.
🧵[6/7]
However, courtwatchers did also report good practice:
👁️🗨️“Everyone was mindful and respectful of the defendant in the dock: the legal advisor let him know that ‘the bench will be here any moment’; his defence lawyer spoke to him briefly once the mags had gone out to deliberate.”
🧵[5/7]
👁️🗨️“The magistrate asked his co-magistrates loudly ‘do we need to ban her from the pub?’, talking about the defendant as if she wasn't even in the room. I thought this was rather dismissive and condescending towards the defendant.”
🧵[4/7]
👁️🗨️“No one spoke with the defendant, even though everyone was discussing her life in detail. It really struck me that she didn't seem to have a voice in her own hearing. In fact, I didn't notice she was sitting there until 20 minutes in.”
🧵[3/7]
👁️🗨️“When the defendant was brought in, he was waiting in the dock for a long time before the hearing started. No one in the court greeted or even acknowledged him, or explained why there was a delay, which I thought was a little disrespectful.”
🧵[2/7]
Some courtwatchers have reported magistrates and court staff failing to acknowledge or include defendants during their own hearings.
Read more from our courtwatchers below ⬇️
🧵[1/7]
Courtwatchers have seen many magistrates acting with empathy - but regardless, many end up paying fines and costs outweighing the sum of the shoplifted items.
And these cases raise a wider question: how should our criminal justice system deal with crimes motivated by poverty?
🧵[6/6]
👁️🗨️“I think with this case they didn't consider the full details beyond just that she had stolen something, the sentencing of a fine, plus costs, plus potential jail time seems excessive for a defendant who said at the time of her arrest 'I'm sorry, I'll put it back, I'm just hungry'.”
🧵[5/6]
👁️🗨️“There was probably nothing malicious about the stealing (of toilet paper rolls!), he probably did it because he is destitute and couldn't afford this basic item. I feel the above was reflected in the conditional discharge.”
🧵[4/6]
👁️🗨️“The judge was understanding of the issues the defendant faced. He is homeless and unemployed and stole food in order to eat, not to sell for profit.”
🧵[3/6]
While theft is never ideal, some observers question whether prosecuting people for stealing necessities is a good use of court time - particularly when defendants are often acting out of hunger or desperation.
🧵[2/6]
Some courtwatchers have raised concerns about hearings that reflect a criminalisation of poverty.
With food and essentials more expensive than ever, it’s unfortunately unsurprising that many courtwatchers have witnessed hearings where the defendants are accused of stealing food.
🧵[1/6]
Could our courts and justice system do more to accommodate people experiencing homelessness, both practically and procedurally?
💭 We’d love to hear your thoughts. How could things be improved?
#CourtWatchLondon #CourtWatch #AccessToJustice
🧵[8/8]
"Also the substantial practical barriers for them in entering court houses with lots of belongings, and how reluctant they may be to leave them outside.”
🧵[7/8]
“It made me think about the very real barriers for homeless people when they get into the legal system. Not just how difficult it is for them to be contacted (which could harm them if they don't attend hearings that concern them).
🧵[6/8]
"The man (who I assume was homeless and protective of his belongings) then got equally agitated and started saying he had rights under the human rights act and they were being infringed.
🧵[5/8]
