Equal Treatment Bench Book ………………………………….. 2013 Amendments to the 2013 edition, introduced September 2015 The following sections have been updated: Hinduism Secularism Foreword Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to tell you that the Judicial College’s Equal Treatment Bench Book, a guide for judges, magistrates and all other judicial office holders, has been revised and updated. The Equality Act 2010, which strengthened and harmonised all our anti‐discrimination laws and created important new duties and rights, has been in force for about three years. Moreover, 2012 saw the introduction of an Equality and Diversity policy for all judicial office holders in England and Wales1. The Equal Treatment Bench Book has been revised to reflect these and other recent developments. Although aspects of the guidance may seem familiar, and some of its general principles are well‐known, the messages it contains are worth reiterating. Fair treatment is a fundamental principle embedded in the judicial oath, and it is therefore a vital judicial responsibility. Treating people fairly requires awareness and understanding of their different circumstances, so that there can be effective communication and so that steps can be taken, where appropriate, to redress any inequality arising from difference or disadvantage. This work covers some of the important aspects of fair treatment about which we should all be aware. It also makes some suggestions as to steps that judges may wish to take, in different situations, to ensure that there is fairness for all those involved in the justice process. We hope that you find it both helpful and informative. I should like to express my gratitude to the following, who have contributed to the revision: Michael Anson Mark Hinchliffe Tim Paviour Gordon Ashton Hugh Howard John Phillips Mathu Asokan Melanie Jameson Joyce Plotnikoff Jeremy Cooper Samantha Livsey Jane Rayner Mandy de Waal Jan Luba Ingrid Simler Marc Dight Juliet May Mary Stacey Paul Farmer Karon Monaghan Sue Tapping Paula Gray Camilla Palmer Joanna Wade Rowan Williams Yours sincerely Lady Justice Hallett Chairman of the Judicial College November 2013 1 And reserved tribunals’ judiciary operating in Scotland and Northern Ireland Contents Contents 1. Equality Act 2010......................................................................................................1‐1 Protected characteristics .................................................................................................1‐2 Types of discrimination and other prohibited conduct as defined in the Act.................1‐4 Disability discrimination ..................................................................................................1‐6 Contexts falling with the jurisdiction of the Equality Act 2010 .......................................1‐8 Transport and building regulations .............................................................................. 1‐10 Remedies....................................................................................................................... 1‐10 rPublic Secto Equality Duty........................................................................................... 1‐10 2. Judgecraft.................................................................................................................2‐1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................2‐1 Good communication ......................................................................................................2‐1 Demonstrating fairness....................................................................................................2‐2 Complaints .......................................................................................................................2‐4 3. Social exclusion and poverty.....................................................................................3‐1 Key points.........................................................................................................................3‐1 Social exclusion................................................................................................................3‐1 The concept of social exclusion .......................................................................................3‐1 Some facts........................................................................................................................3‐2 Characteristics of social exclusion ...................................................................................3‐3 Social exclusion and the justice system...........................................................................3‐6 Decisions of the court or tribunal....................................................................................3‐8 4. Litigants in Person ....................................................................................................4‐1 Key points.........................................................................................................................4‐1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................4‐1 Particular areas of difficulty.............................................................................................4‐4 Before the court or tribunal appearance.........................................................................4‐5 The hearing ......................................................................................................................4‐8 Assistance, representation and ‘McKenzie friends’ ..................................................... 4‐11 5. Children and vulnerable adults .................................................................................5‐1 Key points.........................................................................................................................5‐1 Equal Treatment Bench Book • November 2013 i Contents 1 Overarching principles ..................................................................................................5‐1 2e Active cas management from first appearance..........................................................5‐6 3 Effective use of special measures.................................................................................5‐9 4 Ground rules hearings: planning to question someone with communication needs5‐14 5 Reporting restrictions ................................................................................................ 5‐19 6 At trial ........................................................................................................................ 5‐20 7 The importance of routine feedback......................................................................... 5‐21 6. Physical Disability Overview .....................................................................................6‐1 Key points.........................................................................................................................6‐1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................6‐1 Empowering disabled people ..........................................................................................6‐2 Terminology .....................................................................................................................6‐4 Trial management and disability .....................................................................................6‐6 The statutory environment........................................................................................... 6‐10 Physical disability .......................................................................................................... 6‐13 Key points...................................................................................................................... 6‐13 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 6‐13 Practical measures........................................................................................................ 6‐14 Representation ............................................................................................................. 6‐17 Glossary: Disability ........................................................................................................ 6‐19 Acquired brain injury .................................................................................................... 6‐19 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) ......................................................... 6‐19 Alzheimer’s Disease ...................................................................................................... 6‐19 Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)................................................................................. 6‐20 Cerebral palsy ............................................................................................................... 6‐21 Cerebral vascular accident (CVA) – commonly called a ’stroke’ .................................. 6‐21 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)........................................................... 6‐21 Diabetes ........................................................................................................................ 6‐22 Down’s syndrome ........................................................................................................