Investigating and enhancing how the Family Court works for autistic people

Exploratory mixed-methods studies into the experiences of autistic adults, and their lawyers, in family law proceedings

Backed by a UCL Grand Challenges award, Dr Rob George, and colleagues from the UCL Centre for Research in Autism and Education, have conducted exploratory mixed-methods studies into the experiences of autistic adults, and their lawyers, in family law proceedings.

This has yielded recommendations for lawyers and the Family Court to promote access to justice for autistic people, disseminated through articles and events 2017–2020.

Based on their research, together with focus groups with practitioners and the autistic community, the research team are now developing a series of factsheets for lawyers, judges, and non-legal employees (ushers, security, reception staff) to allow them to better serve autistic court and law firm users.