Understand how justice works in practice.
LawIRL gives students opportunities to explore how courts and the wider justice system operate through structured court observation projects and judge marshalling.
These activities complement our client and casework services by allowing students to consider the justice system from different perspectives: as practitioners, as court observers and through insight into the work of the judiciary.
Structured court observation
Court observation through LawIRL is not simply a visit to watch a hearing. Students take part in structured projects in which observations are recorded and used to build understanding of how justice is delivered in practice.
Justice is Now
Justice is Now uses court observation and data collection as part of its legal education and legal reform work. Its current work includes structured observations across Crown Courts, Family Courts and Magistrates’ Courts, with observations contributing to understanding how court processes are experienced and where practice can be improved.
For students, this creates an opportunity to see legal procedure and professional practice in real cases while reflecting critically on access to justice, communication and the experience of court users.
Transform Justice – CourtWatch
CourtWatch is Transform Justice’s mass court observation project. Trained volunteers attend magistrates’ courts, observe criminal hearings and report what they see. The evidence gathered supports research and advocacy for a fairer, more effective and more compassionate criminal justice system.
CourtWatch has examined issues including open justice, defendant treatment and effective participation. Its 2026 research on defendant treatment and participation drew on observations of more than 2,300 hearings in London magistrates’ courts.
For students, CourtWatch provides structured experience of everyday criminal justice and an opportunity to contribute to evidence about how the courts are working in practice.
Judge marshalling
LawIRL also offers judge marshalling opportunities to selected students. Judge marshalling gives students first-hand insight into the work of the judiciary and a different perspective on advocacy, court procedure, case management and judicial decision-making.
Opportunities depend on judicial availability and may be limited. Current opportunities and eligibility requirements are advertised through LawIRL’s internal student platforms.
What students can gain
- understanding of court procedure and professional roles
- insight into advocacy and judicial decision-making
- critical reflection on fairness, participation and open justice
- confidence navigating court environments and legal terminology
- experience of contributing to structured justice research and reform projects.
