*/
Ali Evans describes how Support Through Court empowers litigants in person and helps the family and civil courts deliver justice, and the vital role of ‘Changemaker Guardian’ chambers in supporting this work
Support Through Court (formerly known as the Personal Support Unit) exists to support the thousands of people in the UK who, every year, face civil and family court proceedings alone. Often through no choice of their own, they must represent themselves in disputes that could have life-changing impact. They may be facing divorce, eviction, or the loss of their children, with any number of other consequences, and if unrepresented must do this in an unfamiliar system applying unfamiliar rules. The process is stressful and confusing for them, to say the least.
Our team of around 500 trained volunteers provides a free service across England and Wales. They offer emotional support and practical guidance before, during, and after court, and they do so tens of thousands of times a year: in 2022/23, Support Through Court supported litigants in person on over 50,000 occasions.
The volunteers offer in-person support at a range of court centres around the country, as well as a National Helpline Service. The Support Through Court Online Service launched in November 2023 to further support the National Helpline and offer another alternative method of accessing help. Support ranges from providing legal information; explaining what will happen in court; helping people to fill out court forms/other court documentation; organising papers; supporting a client to plan what they would like to say to the judge and if needed going with them to court and providing help and support afterwards; to discussing how to go about reaching an amicable settlement.
Support Through Court also works in partnership with other agencies to signpost clients to other agencies providing different types of support. For example, organisations that offer pro bono legal advice or specialised support services in the field of domestic violence or debt.
It is clear that our volunteers make the experience of litigants in person less stressful and can have a direct impact on the outcome of their case. Feedback in 2022/23 showed that 96% of those helped felt that the service enabled them to feel more confident.
Sheila is a grandmother to two children: her son’s child and his partner’s child. Sheila had been caring for them since they were only a few months old because they were not cared for appropriately by their parents. With parental consent, Sheila took them in and provided for them as though they were her own children. However, she had no legal rights to the children.
Sheila was seeking a special guardianship order to give her some rights. Sheila hoped this would be simple as the parents had agreed this would be the best for the children. During a court hearing, however, the mother said that she would want some custody, although she couldn’t say exactly what. The case became more complex.
When a Support Through Court volunteer first met Sheila, she broke down in tears. She was overwhelmed with stress, exhausted, and miserable with not knowing what she faced with the court procedure and hearings. The volunteer explained how the court system works, and helped Sheila write her statement clearly and in an appropriate format. This enabled Sheila to represent herself effectively at the court hearing.
Our help and support reduced Sheila’s stress and alleviated her worries about court procedures, which freed up her time and energy to do more for the children. She felt that her increased clarity and wellbeing helped her to represent herself more effectively and get the best outcome for her grandchildren.
Donovan is a single parent to a young child. When he came to Support Through Court, he had just started a new job after a period of unemployment. He was already the subject of a suspended possession order due to rent arrears. Donovan was waiting for his first wage packet. As a result, he had missed a payment due under the previous court order. His benefit payments had stopped, and a gap in income meant he needed a little extra time to get the money. He had every intention of paying. His landlord had obtained an eviction warrant, which would make him and his child homeless in a matter of days.
Support Through Court helped Donovan to complete a form to apply to suspend the warrant. This enabled him to offer to pay a lump sum off the arrears as soon as he was paid, and then regular monthly payments on top of his rent thereafter. Donovan was able to show the Judge that he was working hard to resolve the situation and that it wouldn’t be long until his new job enabled him to pay reliably.
Donovan returned to Support Through Court the following week to tell them that his landlord had accepted his proposal and the eviction had been cancelled, thus enabling him and his child to stay in their home. He was hopeful for the future, and grateful for the help.
Support Through Court are calling on chambers, firms and legal organisations to join the Guardians Network and support vulnerable court users. Continuing cuts to legal support and the rising cost of living make it more difficult every year to provide the service, while client demand increases exponentially. Without the support of donors and Guardians there would be no one for unrepresented litigants to turn to. We are asking chambers to help address the barriers to accessing justice and ensure this vital service for litigants in person can continue.
We are hugely grateful to our current supporters, who, to name just a few, include Atkin, Blackstone, 11KBW, Old Square and South Square Chambers. They are making a huge difference in the lives of hundreds of vulnerable litigants in person every year. Their financial and practical support has an immeasurable impact. Our Guardians and donors are vital to us continuing to run our services, and are changing lives for those who cannot access legal aid or afford the help of a lawyer.
Contact Ali at a.evans@supporthroughcourt.org to learn more or to set up a meeting to discuss joining the Guardians Network.
We encourage anyone facing the prospect of court to reach out to the Support Through Court volunteers in their local community, or on our National Helpline. We may be able to help you. Please visit: www.supportthroughcourt.org/locations or call 03000 810 006.
Ali Evans has worked as the Corporate Partnerships Manager at Support Through Court for two years and is the main contact for the Guardians Network.
Support Through Court (formerly known as the Personal Support Unit) exists to support the thousands of people in the UK who, every year, face civil and family court proceedings alone. Often through no choice of their own, they must represent themselves in disputes that could have life-changing impact. They may be facing divorce, eviction, or the loss of their children, with any number of other consequences, and if unrepresented must do this in an unfamiliar system applying unfamiliar rules. The process is stressful and confusing for them, to say the least.
Our team of around 500 trained volunteers provides a free service across England and Wales. They offer emotional support and practical guidance before, during, and after court, and they do so tens of thousands of times a year: in 2022/23, Support Through Court supported litigants in person on over 50,000 occasions.
The volunteers offer in-person support at a range of court centres around the country, as well as a National Helpline Service. The Support Through Court Online Service launched in November 2023 to further support the National Helpline and offer another alternative method of accessing help. Support ranges from providing legal information; explaining what will happen in court; helping people to fill out court forms/other court documentation; organising papers; supporting a client to plan what they would like to say to the judge and if needed going with them to court and providing help and support afterwards; to discussing how to go about reaching an amicable settlement.
Support Through Court also works in partnership with other agencies to signpost clients to other agencies providing different types of support. For example, organisations that offer pro bono legal advice or specialised support services in the field of domestic violence or debt.
It is clear that our volunteers make the experience of litigants in person less stressful and can have a direct impact on the outcome of their case. Feedback in 2022/23 showed that 96% of those helped felt that the service enabled them to feel more confident.
Sheila is a grandmother to two children: her son’s child and his partner’s child. Sheila had been caring for them since they were only a few months old because they were not cared for appropriately by their parents. With parental consent, Sheila took them in and provided for them as though they were her own children. However, she had no legal rights to the children.
Sheila was seeking a special guardianship order to give her some rights. Sheila hoped this would be simple as the parents had agreed this would be the best for the children. During a court hearing, however, the mother said that she would want some custody, although she couldn’t say exactly what. The case became more complex.
When a Support Through Court volunteer first met Sheila, she broke down in tears. She was overwhelmed with stress, exhausted, and miserable with not knowing what she faced with the court procedure and hearings. The volunteer explained how the court system works, and helped Sheila write her statement clearly and in an appropriate format. This enabled Sheila to represent herself effectively at the court hearing.
Our help and support reduced Sheila’s stress and alleviated her worries about court procedures, which freed up her time and energy to do more for the children. She felt that her increased clarity and wellbeing helped her to represent herself more effectively and get the best outcome for her grandchildren.
Donovan is a single parent to a young child. When he came to Support Through Court, he had just started a new job after a period of unemployment. He was already the subject of a suspended possession order due to rent arrears. Donovan was waiting for his first wage packet. As a result, he had missed a payment due under the previous court order. His benefit payments had stopped, and a gap in income meant he needed a little extra time to get the money. He had every intention of paying. His landlord had obtained an eviction warrant, which would make him and his child homeless in a matter of days.
Support Through Court helped Donovan to complete a form to apply to suspend the warrant. This enabled him to offer to pay a lump sum off the arrears as soon as he was paid, and then regular monthly payments on top of his rent thereafter. Donovan was able to show the Judge that he was working hard to resolve the situation and that it wouldn’t be long until his new job enabled him to pay reliably.
Donovan returned to Support Through Court the following week to tell them that his landlord had accepted his proposal and the eviction had been cancelled, thus enabling him and his child to stay in their home. He was hopeful for the future, and grateful for the help.
Support Through Court are calling on chambers, firms and legal organisations to join the Guardians Network and support vulnerable court users. Continuing cuts to legal support and the rising cost of living make it more difficult every year to provide the service, while client demand increases exponentially. Without the support of donors and Guardians there would be no one for unrepresented litigants to turn to. We are asking chambers to help address the barriers to accessing justice and ensure this vital service for litigants in person can continue.
We are hugely grateful to our current supporters, who, to name just a few, include Atkin, Blackstone, 11KBW, Old Square and South Square Chambers. They are making a huge difference in the lives of hundreds of vulnerable litigants in person every year. Their financial and practical support has an immeasurable impact. Our Guardians and donors are vital to us continuing to run our services, and are changing lives for those who cannot access legal aid or afford the help of a lawyer.
Contact Ali at a.evans@supporthroughcourt.org to learn more or to set up a meeting to discuss joining the Guardians Network.
We encourage anyone facing the prospect of court to reach out to the Support Through Court volunteers in their local community, or on our National Helpline. We may be able to help you. Please visit: www.supportthroughcourt.org/locations or call 03000 810 006.
Ali Evans describes how Support Through Court empowers litigants in person and helps the family and civil courts deliver justice, and the vital role of ‘Changemaker Guardian’ chambers in supporting this work
The beginning of the legal year offers the opportunity for a renewed commitment to justice and the rule of law both at home and abroad
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management sets out the key steps to your dream property
A centre of excellence for youth justice, the Youth Justice Legal Centre provides specialist training, an advice line and a membership programme
By Kem Kemal of Henry Dannell
By Ashley Friday of AlphaBiolabs
Providing bespoke mortgage and protection solutions for barristers
Joanna Hardy-Susskind speaks to those walking away from the criminal Bar
From a traumatic formative education to exceptional criminal silk – Laurie-Anne Power KC talks about her path to the Bar, pursuit of equality and speaking out against discrimination (not just during Black History Month)
Irresponsible use of AI can lead to serious and embarrassing consequences. Sam Thomas briefs barristers on the five key risks and how to avoid them
Yasmin Ilhan explains the Law Commission’s proposals for a quicker, easier and more effective contempt of court regime
James Onalaja concludes his two-part opinion series
