Personal Support Unit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Personal Support Unit (PSU) is a charity which supports members of the public who are attending either of the two main civil courts in London, England: the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand or the Principal Registry of the Family Division at First Avenue House, High Holborn.
The volunteers are trained in working at court and in ways of helping and supporting people. The service is free, independent and confidential. The PSU helps litigants in person, witnesses, victims, their family members and other supporters. It is also happy to help clients who have legal representation but would like extra support. All aspects of the work are subject to an equal opportunities policy and the service is offered equally to everyone who asks.
What the PSU can do for you
- Go into court with you and stay with you during the hearing. N.B. When the court is sitting in private the permission of the judge and the other parties is required.
- Offer emotional support and practical information about what happens in court.
- Making calls to help litigants find out more about procedures governing their cases
- Speaking to ushers and / or judges' clerks on their behalf before and after hearings
- Guidance around the building
- There is a safe place where you can sit before and after cases
- They can talk through your case before or after court, or ... just have a cup of tea with them
- They can normally help you straightaway
What the PSU cannot do for you
- They cannot offer legal advice, as they are not trained to do so. This means that they cannot offer an advocacy service and cannot represent you at hearings.
- They cannot help you with filling in forms but they can help to find the correct offices for a particular type of form-filling
- If you need legal advice about your case at court, they refer you to the Citizen's Advice Bureau.
- They are not allowed to look after your children.
- They cannot act as a McKenzie Friend
