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.

Publications

Hough, Mike, Roberts, J.V. and Jacobson, Jessica (2009) Public attitudes to the principles of sentencing. Project Report. Sentencing Advisory Panel, London, UK.

Jacobson, Jessica and Talbot, J. (2009) Vulnerable defendants in the criminal courts: a review of provision for adults and children. Project Report. Prison Reform Trust, London, UK.

Hough, Mike and Jacobson, Jessica (2009) A Sentencing Council for England and Wales. In: Collins, J. and Siddiqui, S. (eds.) Transforming Justice: New Approaches To The Criminal Justice System. London, UK: The Criminal Justice Alliance, pp. 31-38.

Roberts, J.V., Hough, Mike, Jacobson, Jessica and Moon, N. (2009) Public attitudes to sentencing purposes and sentencing factors: an empirical analysis. Criminal Law Review 11 , pp. 771-782.

Hough, Mike (2008) Does it matter: reflections on the effectiveness of institutionalised public participation in the development of sentencing policy. In: Freiberg, A. and Gelb, K. (eds.) Penal Populism, Sentencing Councils and Sentencing Policy. Abingdon, UK: Taylor & Francis.

Hough, Mike and Jacobson, Jessica (2008) Creating a Sentencing Commission for England and Wales: an opportunity to address the prisons crisis. Project Report. Prison Reform Trust, London, UK.