Module 6
Courtroom Protocol, Roles & Urgent Hearings
Knowing who everyone is, and what you are entitled to ask for, changes how the day goes. Prepare once, use it every hearing.
Who's who
The Official Solicitor
Acts as litigation friend for P when no one else is suitable. They are neutral: their job is to investigate and put P's case, not to agree with you. Cooperate fully — their report carries real weight.
Accredited Legal Representative (ALR)
A solicitor with specialist Law Society accreditation appointed to represent P directly, usually in shorter or urgent cases where the Official Solicitor is not needed.
Local Authority (LA)
Often the applicant in welfare cases. Responsible for care assessments, safeguarding enquiries under section 42 Care Act 2014 and, frequently, for funding the placement.
Integrated Care Board (ICB)
The NHS commissioner. Involved where continuing healthcare funding, hospital discharge or treatment is in issue. In many cases the LA and ICB disagree with each other — say so in writing when it delays P.
The judge
Tier 1 cases are heard by District Judges, Tier 2 by Circuit Judges, Tier 3 by High Court judges. Address a District or Circuit Judge as 'Judge'; a High Court judge as 'My Lord' or 'My Lady'.
Reasonable adjustments (Practice Direction 3A)
PD3A requires the court to consider whether a party or witness is vulnerable and what participation directions they need. Autistic people, people with learning disabilities, and exhausted carers all count. Asking is not a weakness — it is the rule working as intended.
Adjustments to request
0 of 8 doneHearing day preparation
0 of 7 doneSafeguarding escalation — right now
Immediate danger
Call 999. Ask for a police welfare check and quote the person's vulnerability.
Office hours
Call your council's adult social care duty desk and say the words "I am making an adult safeguarding referral under section 42 of the Care Act 2014."
Nights & weekends
Ask for the Emergency Duty Team (EDT). Every council has one; the number is on their website under "out of hours social care".
Always ask for a referral number and the name of the person you spoke to, then confirm the call by email the same day. A referral you cannot evidence did not happen.