open justice. I had a physical reaction, my gut dropping like a stone, when HHJ Howells said what she did. Their status and power makes judges intimidating. Barristers are used to the judge addressing them – and they are part of proceedings and can reply. This is not the situation for observers. I was shocked by what happened and this episode has caused me not a small amount of anxiety. I’m a bit worried about writing this account of what happened and how I felt about it. It’s taken me a long time to feel able to do so.
Tag Archives: Legal Practice
Forced Marriage Convictions: A view from the police
Many victims of forced marriage are tricked in going back home because they have either told their parents that they will not marry there, or it’s what their parents suspect. In many cases victims end up in remote regions where they do not understand the local area and sometimes even struggle with the language. Victims get trapped abroad and have limited options of getting help.
What is a section 49 report?
explanation) to a “section 49 report”. They may ask the judge to order one, or talk about a report they’ve received.
Congratulations, Kirsty!
“…Kirsty works tirelessly across a range of issues relating to Disability and Carers’ Rights…”
Resolving End-of-Life Treatment Conflicts: Comparing the COP in England to Analogous Mechanisms in Ontario, California, and Texas
By Thaddeus Mason Pope, 23rd June 2021 On Friday June 11 2021, I had the pleasure of watching The Honorable Mr. Justice Hayden deliver judgment in a Court of Protection case involving the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment. I have been reading Court of Protection judgments for years and have even collected many on my website. But this was my firstContinue reading “Resolving End-of-Life Treatment Conflicts: Comparing the COP in England to Analogous Mechanisms in Ontario, California, and Texas”
Dementia, Cats and Football
Gerald “strongly believed he could manage at home with care visits, but preferred to stay in the current ‘so-so’ home if around-the-clock care was needed. If a care home was truly necessary, Gerald asked only that one capable of accommodating his cat could be found….”
A law graduate’s first experience of a COP (telephone) hearing
By Emily Williscroft, 7 October 2020 My experience of observing a Court of Protection hearing was exciting and bewildering and a brilliant educational opportunity. I feel inspired to observe more hearings because it’s such a fantastic way of learning more about the law in practice. I finished my undergraduate degree (with first class honours from EdgeContinue reading “A law graduate’s first experience of a COP (telephone) hearing”
Observing as a GDL student in the (virtual) Court of Protection
As a GDL student looking to gain legal experience in the middle of a global pandemic, things have not been easy recently … I am extremely grateful to the Open Justice Court of Protection Project … for providing me with the information and assistance I needed to be able to gain access to a hearing”
How to use CourtServe
“…Improving the CourtServe listings…would be a substantial contribution to Open Justice and transparency in the Court of Protection.”
The myths and mistakes of capacity and criminality
“If we recognise that P may be a victim of offending, we must also recognise that some Ps are at risk of offending. Likewise, those who have offended in the past may lose capacity in the future. When we accept these basic propositions as fact, we may start to break down the myths and stop the mistakes when issues of criminality and capacity collide.”
Promoting Open Justice in the Court of Protection 