Courts, court users and the judicial process

ICPR has long-standing experience of conducting empirical courts-based research. Prior studies have examined sentence decision-making and public attitudes to sentencing; the quality of criminal advocacy; and what it is like to attend the criminal courts as a defendant, witness or victim. Current work includes research into what it means to 'participate' in criminal, family and tribunal proceedings; the values shaping deliberation in the Court of Protection; and the preparation of witness statements for the Employment Tribunal.

Current projects

Diverse Disabilities: Accessibility and Justice in the Tribunal

Lived experience of the law: A research and policy project

Public engagement with justice: Evidence review

Completed projects include:

Enhancing problem-solving practice in the Youth Court

Inside Crown Court

Joint Enterprise

Judging Values and Participation in Mental Capacity Law

Judicial perceptions of criminal advocacy

Language Barriers in the Criminal Justice System

Participation in Courts and Tribunals

Taking and Making a Statement: An exploratory study analysing through the lens of research the production of witness statements by lawyers and litigants in person (MAS)

The quality of legal advice and representation in the Youth Justice System

The Youth Proceedings Advocacy Review

Voicing loss: Meanings and implications of participation by bereaved people in inquests

Publications

Hough, Mike and Kirby, Amy (2013) The role of public opinion in formulating sentencing guidelines. In: Ashworth, A. and Roberts, J.V. (eds.) Sentencing Guidelines: Exploring the English Model.Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, pp. 140-156.

Hunter, Gillian, Jacobson, Jessica and Kirby, Amy (2013) Out of the shadows: victims' and witnesses' experiences of attending the Crown Court. Project Report. Victim Support, London, UK.

Jacobson, Jessica (2013) By mistakes we learn? A review of criminal appeals against sentence. Project Report. Transform Justice, London, UK.

Roberts, J.V., Hough, Mike, Jackson, J. and Gerber, M.M. (2012) Public opinion towards the lay magistracy and the sentencing council guideline: the effects of information on attitudes. British Journal of Criminology 52 (6), pp. 1072-1091.

Heard, Catherine and Mansell, D. (2011) The European Arrest Warrant: the role of judges when human rights are at risk. New Journal of European Criminal Law 2 (2), pp. 133-147.

Roberts, J.V. and Hough, Mike (2011) Custody or community: exploring the boundaries of public punitiveness in England and Wales. Criminology & Criminal Justice 11 (2), pp. 181-197.