HMCTS Podcast – Neurodiversity and remote hearings

Neurodiversity, expresses the diverse ways people think, interpret, and process information, and it is at the forefront of our efforts to ensure justice is accessible to everyone.

Today’s Family Lawyer recently ran a feature on one element of neurodiversity, ‘Supporting clients with ADHD‘.

The HMCTS podcast host Liz Bryant, talks to Nicky Reynolds, Deputy Director of the Future Hearings Programme, and Adam Micklethwaite, Director of The Autism Alliance.

Nicky covers what neurodiversity is and the different needs neurodivergent people can have, and it is clear that there is no one size fits all.

The panel also discuss remote hearings as well as exploring the ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility for neurodivergent people within the justice system.

On the podcast, Adam shares insights into autism. Collectively they discuss the challenges autistic people may face in accessing justice, alongside the importance of an inclusive society.

As the podcast continues, the discussion turns to HMCTS’s Video Hearing Service, “a bespoke solution designed for remote participation”. Adam provides feedback on the potential benefits to the Video Hearing Service as well as suggesting areas for improvement.

Click here to listen to the episode now, or to find links to alternative places you may get your podcasts from!

A transcript of the podcast is also available here.