RI Skills for Court

Course Content:

Speakers will explore aspects of RI work for court focusing on:

• The RI Court report
• GRHs
• Reviewing draft questions
• PCVs and link familiarisation
• Assisting the witness give their evidence at court

Guest speakers will provide insights from:

1. HH Judge Barker Registered ‘Intermediaries at court - a judge’s perspective.’ 
2. Mr Lee Fish ‘A barrister’s perspective about working with RIs’

Course Aims/Objectives:

To explore the range of information required in RI court reports

Each intermediary attending to identify learning points from a colleague’s report to apply to their future reports

To consider how the MoJ’s recommended framework for court reports can be adapted for a particular witness’ vulnerabilities

To discuss useful references to include in RI court reports to support recommendations for vulnerable witnesses

To share experiences of GRHs and difficulties that may have arisen-and identify best practice

To learn about any documents relating to GRHs

To consider what can make XX questions problematic for vulnerable witnesses and how to justify changes needed

To be aware of different formats for giving feedback to counsel about XX questions

To review a sample of XX questions as a group and share RI responses for changes needed

To consider how to get the most out of pre court and link familiarisation visits

Course Method:

The workshop is run in the form of a small group training. The presenters will present information and will invite high levels of participation and sharing of knowledge and ideas. Prepared slides/handouts guide the process rather than impart information.

The following materials are provided:

• Powerpoint presentations
• Guidance for further reading-Bibliography