Research

  • We will investigate the extent and effectiveness of accessibility measures in courts in England and Wales, with far-reaching impact for disabled individuals, so that no one is left waiting for justice.

  • A Bar Course student observed that their neurodivergence was not considered during teaching or assessment using the Hampel Method. In response to the needs of our members, this project is reviewing the Method from the perspective of disabled students, exploring whether there is a better, alternative method to advocacy education.

  • Disabled people may require additional adjustments to clothing to be comfortable in the court room. Partnering with leading gown supplier Ivy & Normanton, BDABar will scope the demand for alternative uniform specifications to ensure inclusion.

Current Projects (2024 - 25)

We launched the research team in 2021 to underpin the Bringing [Dis]Ability to the Bar's mission ‘to provide clear and credible information’.

We do so through developing collaborative research strategies that seek to identify and address some of the inequalities, injustices and challenges facing aspiring disabled barristers (and society as a whole). 

The research team seeks to work with people, partners and communities in a manner that encourages participation, implementation and change.

If you have any questions about our research, our aims, objectives or to contribute ; please email research@bdabar.org

Oscar Minto, Researcher

“I believe BDABar’s research arm is likely to be one of the organisations most powerful methods for driving change and positive impacts for aspiring disabled barristers. Whilst a large part of the research teams time has been taken up by mapping and understanding the extent of the barriers faced by disabled students and barristers, the organisation has now turned its focus to a range of research projects in the hope of going beyond simply re-framing issues.

Ongoing projects range from tackling physical barriers for disabled barristers, such as assessing the extent of accessibility of UK courtrooms or identifying better alternatives for courtroom attire to tackling more social barriers, such as analysing how Bar Practice Courses can better account of neurodiversity within their training methods. With these projects underway, BDABar looks to build on previous research and make measurable impacts for both aspiring and practising barristers.  ”

Oscar, a tall white young man, stands in front of a picturesque wilderness.

THE COURT ACCESSIBILITY PROJECT:

Project overview:

This project will have far reaching implications concerning court accessibility for those with additional needs, including barristers, clerks, witnesses, judges, observers and anyone else attending a courtroom. The BDABar Research team hopes to answer the question, “to what extent are courts in the UK accessible to disabled people?” 

Questions that this project will consider:

  • How many courts are accessible to persons with a disability? 

  • If a court is accessible, what additional needs can they accommodate? 

  • Can this project propose reasonable adjustments to courts?  

The aims of the project:

  • Create criteria of concessions for courts 

  • Discover what adjustments courts in UK make for attendees, especially barristers (focused research for initially) 

  • Create recommendations for attendees at certain courts 

  • Create recommendations for courts to accommodate additional needs 

The BDABar Court Accessibility Survey: https://forms.gle/JqverBTeqtNBWKUo6