During this training, TCSI staff learnt about the fundamentals of the Irish legal system, including the separation of powers, sources of law, hierarchy of law, doctrine of precedent and the court system and courts processes.
In completing their training and becoming familiar with the court and its processes, TCSI workers are able to support and demystifying the courts for Traveller litigants who may experience fear or anxiety about attending court. Since their training, the five TCSI workers will be in a position to act as an important support and advocacy bridge between Traveller litigants and their legal representation
The TCSI responds to the barriers which Travellers face when trying to challenge discrimination before the Courts, through development of a co-designed training programme and establishment of a network of Traveller ‘court-support workers.’ The peer workers provide community-engaged, and culturally appropriate peer-led court accompaniment supports for Traveller litigants in the District Court. This feeds into the need for understanding of vulnerable court-user experience to adequately inform reform of domestic equality adjudication bodies, enhanced judicial training and actions ensuring access to justice for most vulnerable, while also providing vital resources needed to encourage increased discrimination litigation against those who discriminate against the Traveller Community.
