HC Deb 20 April 1998 vol 310 cc404-5W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the need for(a) barristers, (b) judges and (c) magistrates to receive training to increase their awareness of the needs of people with learning disabilities, when they appear in courts. [37597]

Mr. Hoon

Judicial training is the responsibility of the Judicial Studies Board (JSB) which is a non-departmental governmental body. The JSB has held a number of sessions in both induction and continuation training on equal treatment, including dealing with people with learning difficulties. The JSB has an advisory committee whose remit has recently been extended to cover all aspects of equal treatment training, including training on increasing awareness of the needs of people with learning disabilities. The Committee will be considering guidance for members of the judiciary on handling those with learning difficulties.

Lay Magistrate training is delivered by Magistrates' Courts' Committees but the JSB has a role in setting the syllabus. Lay Magistrates already address the issue of equal treatment of all in the light of their judicial oath but the JSB has recently completed a project identifying the skills and knowledge required by Lay Magistrates to ensure equality of treatment for all who appear in their courts.

Training of barristers is a matter for the General Council of the Bar.