Trauma-Informed Approaches to Special Measures with Kama Melly KC (season 3, episode 1)

Kama Melly KC (Park Square Barristers) explores trauma-informed, person-centered approaches to facilitating the evidence of vulnerable witnesses and defendants.

Speaking at Communicourt's Access to Justice Conference 2023, Kama considers how we can step outside of the special measures set out in the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act (1999), in order to support the participation of vulnerable court users, including children and people affected by trauma.

One of the six Senior Trainers who helped develop the National Training for Vulnerable Witnesses, Kama’s practice with young defendants, particularly, has been described by the Court of Appeal as ‘a model’. She is also the Bar Representative with the Ministry of Justice for the Section 28 scheme to pre-record evidence. Among her many other roles, Kama sits part-time as a Judge in the Crown and Family Courts. 

In her presentation, Kama strongly recommends the Inns of Court College of Advocacy e-learning programmes, which include programmes on 'Advocacy and the Vulnerable' in criminal and family proceedings, as well advocacy for children in contact with the law. 

You can watch a video recording of Kama's speech from the Access to Justice 2023 conference, as well presentations delivered by HHJ Neil Clark, Dr Katie Maras, Andi Brierley and Edmore Masendeke on Communicourt's library of resources for legal professionals: The Access Brief.