Professional and public user groups working with usHMCTS on aspects of the HMCTSreform Reformprogramme, Programme, including collaboration on new development proposals.
We’reWearemodernising our courts and tribunals system to make it more straightforward, accessible and efficient for all. It’s an ambitious £1bnprogramme designed to improve the system for both those who use it and for those working within it.
We host a number of engagement forums to makeensure sure we’re collaborating with professional and public user groups on proposals,proposals developments and servicesdevelopments within the reform programme, to better understand their needs. This work haswill helpedhelp to shape the future landscape of the courts and tribunals services to achieve the best possible outcomes for all.
The reform programme is changing the way that criminal cases are dealt with in court. At the same time, other agencies in the criminal justice system – such as the police and prison and probation services – are also changing the ways that they work. Criminal Justice Engagement Groups bring together those agencies so we can coordinate our plans for improvement.
NationalDigital Practitioners’ Working Group Chair: DefenceBusiness Product Owner – CJS Common Platform, HMCTS Reform Crime Programme Schedule of meetings: monthlymonthly,inLondonandonline
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Representation invited from: HMCTS, Bar Council, Law Society, the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association, Criminal Bar Association, Institute of Barristers’ Clerks, Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association, Legal Aid Agency, Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, Legal Aid Practitioner Group, Young Legal Aid Lawyers, CrownPolice ProsecutionDigital Service,First YouthProgramme, JusticeCrown Board.
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Police, Prison Service, National Probation Service, PECs, Judicial Office, Magistrates Digital Lead, Legal Aid Agency, Home Office, Public Defender Service, Crown Prosecution Service, CTSC, Crime Communication Lead, Common Platform Programme Team
Legal Professional Engagement Groups
We undertake regular engagement with legal professional bodies such as the Bar Council, the Law Society and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives at both Chief Executive and policy levels. We also work collaboratively with these bodies to makeensure sure practitioners’ views are considered in the development of proposals and design of reformed services.
EachOur jurisdiction also hosts ad-hoc forums involving legal professionalsprofessional to present engagement activitygroups onare specificoutlined issues and projects, based on jurisdictional project timetables and key areas of interest for the profession.below.
Aims to have a strategic overview of engagement activities as well as planning activity to engage effectively across the programme. This is a steering group comprising HMCTS jurisdictional leads and policy leads from key legal representative organisations.
HMCTS, The Bar Council, the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, the Law Society.
Public User Engagement Groups
We regularly engage representatives of public users by bringing together HMCTS staff and people who use our services through a range of forums and groups. These focus on victims, witnesses, young people, equality and inclusion, litigants in person and defendants among others.
Ourpublicengagementgroupsareoutlinedbelow.
Forum
Remit
Membership
Change Victim and Witness Engagement Group Chair: Deputy Director Customer Change and Innovation, HMCTS. Schedule of meetings: quarterly.
Provides feedback on the design and development of reformed procedures and practices which have an impact on victims and witnesses. The group helps to ensure that proposals meet the needs of Victims and Witnesses and improves on the current service. It also represents a range of victims and witnesses and ensures the needs of this community are represented in the development of HMCTS.
HMCTS, Ministry of Justice, Crown Prosecution Service, National Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Survivors Trust, Witness Service, Brake, Rape Crisis, Women’s Aid, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, Victims’ Commissioner’s Office, Victim Support.Support,PoliceandCrimeCommissionerSouthWales,aSurvivorandanacademicrepresentative.
Looks at the potential impact that Criminal Court Reform proposals may have an impact on defendants. It helps to understand the insights and ideas of defendants and ensure that their voice is heard within reformed services.
HMCTS, Ministry of Justice, HM Prisons and Probation Service, Hibiscus Initiatives, IntermediariesforJustice,Revolving Doors, KeyRing, JUSTICE, Unlock, Barrow Cadbury Trust, Together UK, Prison Reform Trust, Centre for Justice Innovation, User VoiceVoice,Rethink,aForensicPsychologistandRegisteredIntermediaryandanacademicrepresentative.
Equalities and Inclusion Engagement Group Chair: Customer Director, HMCTS. Schedule of meetings: quarterly.
Captures participants’ insights and ideas to ensure HMCTS integrates equality principles into all reformed services, promoting a service that is inclusive, user focussed, and does not discriminate against the vulnerable or disadvantaged.
HMCTS, Good Things Foundation, Royal National Institute of Blind People, Revolving Doors, Citizens Advice, Barnardo’s, AGE UK, Faiths Forum for London, Judicial Representative, Support Through Court, Personal Support Units, Maternity Action, Disability Rights UK, Equality and Human Rights Commission, Public Law Project, Mind, RNID,ActiononHearingLoss,Fawcett Society, Race Equality Foundation.Foundation,RethinkandaRegisteredIntermediary.
Litigants in Person Engagement Group Chair: co-chaired by DeputyCustomer DirectorDirector, (User Experience & Insight – HMCTS and a member of the judiciary. Schedule of meetings: every 2two months.
Provides feedback on the design and development of reformed procedures and practices that have an impact on Litigants in Person. The group brings a unique perspective to the process, involving those who help Litigants in Persons to navigate the justice system.
Judicial Representative, HMCTS, AdviceUK, PersonalSupport ThroughUnit, Court, Law for Life (including Advice Now), Legal Education Foundation, Money Advice Trust, The Litigant in Person Network, the Chartered Institute for Legal Executives, ProBonoTrust,CoramChildren’sLegalCentre,Judicial Office, the Litigants in Person Support Strategy and Access to Justice Foundation.
Media Working Group Chair: Director of Communications, HMCTS Schedule of meetings: bi-annuallydecided or as requested by the grouponanongoingbasis.
SupportsItconvenestofacilitateongoing engagement between representatives of the media and HMCTS,those towith discuss policyandoperationalresponsibilitiesinmedia access to courts and tribunals andservices, providinghearings informationand to the media.information.
HMCTS, Ministry of Justice, Judicial Office, Evening Standard, BBC, ITN, News Media Association, Society of Editors, National Union of Journalists, National Council for Training Journalists, JPI Media, The Guardian, Crime Reporters Association, Newsquest Media Group, Press Association, RADAR.