Facilitating equal access to justice: An intermediary/ communication assistant scheme for Tasmania?, Tasmania Law Reform Institute Final Report No 23

This report discusses the institution of an intermediary/communication assistant scheme in Tasmania for people with communication needs involved in the criminal justice system. Such a scheme would enhance their ability to participate in the justice process and help to optimise their opportunity to gain equal treatment before the law and access to justice, by ensuring that they can understand and be understood during their interactions with the police, legal practitioners and the courts. This Report considers how such a scheme would enhance existing measures enacted to assist people with communication needs when providing evidence as witnesses, victims, suspects or defendants. It comprises the final step in providing advice to the Tasmanian Government and community about whether and how an intermediary/communication assistant scheme might improve access to justice and participation in the justice process for people with communication needs in Tasmania and what might be an appropriate model for such a scheme.