Lay Observers are independent, unpaid public appointees and work an average of 2-3 days per month. Their role is to provide independent oversight of how people detained in court cells and cellular vehicles are cared for and their access to justice.
Read more about usAbout us
Lay Observers play an important role in the justice system by monitoring the welfare and access to justice of people being brought to court and held in court custody. They are appointed by the Secretary of State under the Criminal Justice Act 1991 (CJA 1991) to provide independent oversight of how people detained in court cells and cellular vehicles are cared for and their access to justice.
Learn more >Latest news
-
Annual report of Lay Observers highlights risk of serious consequences to welfare and access to justice for detained persons as result of lack of coherent approach to exercising duty of care
In his third annual report to the Secretary of State for Justice, the former Chairman of Lay Observers for England and Wales, Tony Fitzsimons, details failings in the care of people held in custody at courts and transported between police stations, prisons and courts by escort contractors. The 2017-18 annual report repeats continued concern that … Read more >
-
Appointment of John Thornhill OBE as Chair of the Lay Observers’ National Council
The Secretary of State for Justice has appointed John Thornhill OBE as Chair of the Lay Observers’ National Council. John Thornhill was formerly President of the National Council for Independent Monitoring Boards (July 2013 – May 2017), amongst many other senior roles. You can read the Secretary of State’s announcement HERE. For … Read more >
-
Independent monitoring of court custody and escort – key findings – February 2018
In February 2018, Lay Observers spoke to 566 of the 792 people in court custody during their visits. The number of the most serious incidents – level 3 reports – increased this month from 14 in January to 23 in February. However, most of these related to just three courts – Durham, Truro and Bedlington. … Read more >