People should be able to participate actively in the court and tribunal hearings that concern them. Yet many barriers stand in the way of participation - arising from the culture, structure and formalities of the court system, court users’ needs and vulnerabilities and the rapidly changing policy environment.

Featuring policy analysis, courtroom observations and practitioners’ voices, this significant study provides a detailed account of what participation means and why it matters.

The book is an invaluable resource which makes a compelling case for a principled, explicit commitment to supporting participation across the justice system of England and Wales and beyond.