Procedural Justice in Family Courts | BASW England Children and Families Lunchtime Session

to 1:00pm
About this event

The BASW Children and Families group are hosting this session, which focus on improving fairness, communication, and participation in the family courts. We will explore:

• What procedural justice looks like in family court practice

• How legal–lay communication affects engagement and outcomes

• Key insights from Dr Grieshofer’s research

• Practical reflections for social work and frontline practice

• Explore what you can do to support this new initiative

Family courts are increasingly navigated by individuals without legal representation. Research shows that:

• Legal language and processes can be difficult to understand

• Individuals may struggle to participate meaningfully

• Experiences of fairness are shaped not just by outcomes, but by whether people feel heard, respected, and included

For social workers, this directly impacts how we support individuals and families through court processes. JusticeIsNow is launching a programme where:

• Social work students attend family court as observers

• They gain real-world insight into court dynamics and communication

• This supports more informed, reflective, and justice-aware practice

Dr Tatiana Grieshofer is the author of Legal–Lay Discourse and Procedural Justice in Family and County Courts (Cambridge University Press). Dr Grieshofer’s research explores how communication between legal professionals and court users shapes experiences of fairness, voice, and trust—particularly for those without legal representation. https://tatianagrieshofer.com/

Leonie Hodge is the Director of JusticeIsNow. Leonie is a trainer and co-founder of JusticeIsNow, a survivor-led organisation working to improve justice experiences for individuals navigating the legal system.