Ministry of Justice written question – answered at on 22 July 2021.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what information or evidence of impairment has to be provided by a court user to HM Courts and Tribunals Service before reasonable adjustments will be considered.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidance his Department (a) has given and (b) plans to give to (i) HM Courts and Tribunals Service personnel and (ii) the Judiciary on enabling hearing impaired users to use specialist equipment assessed as suitable for them at attended Court hearings; and if he will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the needs of a hearing impaired court user for reasonable adjustment to enable them to access hearings in person are met in all cases; and if he will make a statement.
HMCTS will provide reasonable adjustments for court and tribunal users with disabilities and takes steps to avoid treating people less favourably because of their disability. Court and tribunal users are encouraged to get in touch with HMCTS to discuss any particular adjustments they may need. HMCTS staff will sensitively ask those needing reasonable adjustments what support they require in order to be able to provide reasonable adjustments. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for all of those people with hearing loss to be able to access hearings in person.
Reasonable adjustment guidance and broader disability guidance is provided to all HMCTS staff for in person hearings and remote hearings. All guidance raises awareness of the issues people with hearing loss may face, and the reasonable adjustments which may help them to fully participate in hearings. Guidance also provides practical help for staff to ensure they know what hearing enhancement equipment is available in their buildings for users and how to use it. It includes a checklist for making sure that staff have time to test hearing enhancement equipment and are comfortable with how it’s used.
The Judiciary of England and Wales is constitutionally independent of Government, so the MoJ does not issue guidance to the judiciary. Judicial guidance on equal treatment is provided through access to the Equal Treatment Bench Book (ETBB), published by the Judicial College, and learning materials which provide explicit guidance on working with diverse individuals such as those who have hearing loss.
Yes1 person thinks so
No0 people think not
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