Access to Justice Knowledge Hub
This website has been created for people who are interested in the wonderful work Justice Intermediaries do to create more effective communication environments within legal settings for people with disabilities.
Intermediaries Around the World Map
Find out more about the various intermediary schemes around the world.
Justice Intermediary Starter Kit Modules
If your jurisdiction is interested in setting up it’s own intermediary scheme, you’ll find lots of great information in our modules.
Indigenous intermediary / communication assistant perspective
How diverse is the intermediary workforce in your jurisdiction? In many countries, intermediaries do not always share the cultures, languages and lived experiences of the population they serve. Hear an indigenous perspective on the intermediary role.
Intermediaries and the UNCRPD
The introductory chapter from the 202* report titled **** provides useful information about how the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities intersects with intermediary practices in a range of countries.
Free to Use and Share
The Access to Justice Knowledge Hub is about ensuring the voices of people with disabilities are heard equally and fairly within the justice system procedures.
Full participation in investigations, processes and hearings at the police and in all formal, quasi-judicial and informal tribunals is fundamental to fairness. Justice Intermediaries impartially assist persons with disabilities and legal personnel to communicate effectively.
They recommend accommodations to ensure effective participation.
Intermediaries (also known as 'facilitators'): persons who work, as required, with justice system personnel and persons with disabilities to ensure effective communication during legal proceedings. They support persons with disabilities to understand and make informed choices, making sure that things are explained and talked about in ways that they can understand and that appropriate accommodations and support are provided. Intermediaries are neutral and they do not speak for persons with disabilities or for the justice system, nor do they lead or influence decisions or outcomes.
The International Principles and Guidelines on Access to Justice for Persons with Disabilities, Geneva 2020 (PDF)
JISK Modules
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Introduction and Target Audience
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Defining The Justice Intermediary
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Understanding Communication
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Understanding Disability
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Life Stories
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Assessing Needs and Report Writing
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Accommodations
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Emotional Resilience and Managing Boundaries
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Around The World
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Practical Issues
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Resources
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Next Steps
Intermediaries For Justice Around The Globe Report 2020
This report is part of the work done by the Access to Justice Knowledge Hub. The Hub aggregates approaches, expertise, practice, and tools from around the world, to advance the evolution of justice systems so that they enable full and fair participation of persons with disabilities in the justice system.
The report details the profiles of several Justice Intermediary schemes, illustrating the wide variation in practical implementation.
This 2020 report is currently being updated. However, you can find up-to-date information about many intermediary schemes around the world in our Intermediaries Around the World Map.