In the second part of this interview, we continue our conversation with Courtwatch about what volunteers observe when they sit in on magistrates’ courts across England and Wales.
This episode focuses on court efficiency and delays not in the abstract, but as they are experienced in real hearings. We discuss the kinds of delays court watchers see most often, where time and resources are wasted, and where taking time is both necessary and welcome in the interests of fairness.
We also explore how court delays disproportionately affect marginalised groups, including people with mental health conditions, neurodivergent defendants, and people from ethnic minority backgrounds, and why better preparation and resourcing matter for access to justice.
If you’d like to find out more about Courtwatch and the work of Transform Justice and the Courtwatch programme, you can visit:
Transform Justice
👉 https://www.transformjustice.org.uk
This podcast is independently produced. If you found the episode useful, please rate, follow, and share and if you’d like to support the work, you can find a donation link in the show notes.
