EduCourt

A project to deliver information sessions to Litigants in Person (LiPs) in the family court in Newcastle.

Information sessions will run with the purpose of helping people who are (or facing the possibility of) appearing in Court in a family case without representation by a lawyer. As a lawyer, the sessions would also benefit their clients to enable familiarisation with court.

The service will offer a LiP the opportunity to attend an information session at Newcastle Civil and Family Court in advance of their court hearing.  The aim is to help a LiP familiarise themselves with the court setting, understand some of the legal terminology used in court, the different roles within the court, how to conduct themselves and ensure they get the most out of the process. 

Information sessions will predominantly be delivered to LiPs, but there is value in ensuring solicitors, support agencies and volunteers from local advice agencies can also access the information sessions as a tool for their own learning in where they can refer LiPs for further support.

The sessions are separated into family Applicants and family Respondents, taking place at 1pm during the court lunch hour.  LiPs would be able to arrange their place on a session, by contacting the designated email address or the SLO enquiry line.

Attendees at the sessions would be shown into a family court room where they will receive an information session (lasting approximately 40 minutes), delivered by staff and students from the SLO.  The session will include information such as; the Court process, the terminology used by the Court, the roles of individuals in court cases, what to bring to a hearing and how to conduct yourself.  Attendance in court may also include court ushers, clerks and a family judge.

Attendees are then given the opportunity to request an information pack, which will have been referenced in the presentation.  This pack will be emailed to the attendee after the session.  If further advice is required effective signposting for tailored advice will be provided. No advice is given at these sessions.  

New Autumn 2026 dates coming soon.

To book your free place email educourt@northumbria.ac.uk or call 0191 227 3909 and leave your name, email address and which session you require.