RI Skills for Court

IfJ CPD Courses

Course Facilitator(s)

Susan Stewart & Catherine Chamberlain

Course Facilitator(s) Bio

Susan Stewart started working as an RI in 2016. She assists witnesses aged 7 years and above to adults, and created the Durham PCVC resources for witnesses. Susan is a speech and language therapist who has specialised in working with young people with complex communication needs. As IfJ CPD programme Lead she assists IFJ on a voluntary basis to organise the IfJ CPD Programme. She also offers supervision to intermediaries.

Catherine Chamberlain is a paediatric speech and language therapist with over 35 years’ experience. She qualified as an RI in 2014 and works with children of all ages. 

Guest Speakers

HHJ Barker Carlisle CC

HH Judge Barker was called to the Bar in 1994 and appointed as a Recorder in 2012. His Honour has been the Resident Judge at Carlisle Combined Court since 2022. In March 2025 he was appointed the 25th Honorary Recorder of the city, a position that dates from 1617.

Mr Lee Fish (Barrister)

Lee Fish is a highly sought-after and experienced barrister who is recommended in the leading legal directories as “exceptional”, “a very well-skilled and excellent performer”, and “inspires confidence”. Lee’s criminal practice covers serious, substantial and high-profile cases. He has developed notable expertise in the prosecution and defence of those accused of manslaughter, murder, rape and other serious offences. Lee has been appointed to CPS Serious Crime Panel, Specialist Fraud Panel and Rape and Serious Sexual Offence panel. Known for his ‘tactical mind’ and as an effective communicator, both in Court and with vulnerable clients, Lee does not shy away from having difficult conversations. Lee has considerable experience in regulatory offences and has specialist expertise in environmental regulation – prosecuting and defending authorities, companies and individuals. He has been described as a “true environmental law practitioner”. He is noted for his ability to tackle complex and often commercially sensitive cases requiring urgent legal advice, particularly criminal allegations. Lee has strong relations with the Environment Agency and is a Specialist Regulatory Advocate in Health & Safety and Environmental Law (List A). As part of his regulatory practice, Lee has also been instructed by the Health and Safety Executive. His level of expertise has resulted in him being placed on the specialist panel of regulatory advocates since 2012, and he was appointed to List A in 2019. Lee also has experience acting for regulators such as the General Medical Council, Solicitors Regulation Authority, Food Standards Agency, and Marine Management Organisation.

 

Who is this course for?

IfJ Full Member – i.e. qualified intermediaries Ideally to have done 1 court case but open also to those who are awaiting their 1st court case and wish to increase knowledge/skills 1. Qualified Intermediaries who would like to understand more about the subject to enhance their work with vulnerable people. At any level of experience, from newly registered onwards. 2. Other criminal justice professionals

Description

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

- Participants to log on 15 minutes prior to start of each session. - It is required that all participants keep their cameras on throughout the workshop. - Participants to complete online feedback form post workshop.

Cancellation Policy

Book Now