Travers Smith first partnered with JUSTICE in 2019 as Corporate partner for JUSTICE's expert panel investigation into the over representation of youth from ethnic minority backgrounds in the criminal youth justice system. The project culminated in an extensive written report of 45 recommendations intended to make the criminal youth justice system fairer and to address the racial bias that currently exists being produced.
We have continued to work alongside JUSTICE to ensure the working party's recommendations are implemented. In Autumn 2022 we began working with JUSTICE on one particular recommendation, which was geared towards better understanding the impact of the criminal justice system on Black, Brown and racialised girls and women, particularly young women.
This wide-ranging research project aimed to analyse existing laws, procedures, guidance, and statistics that relate to and/or impact Black, Brown and racialised girls and young women in the criminal justice system. The goal was to identify any gaps in research and data, consider further practical recommendations that could be adopted to improve their experiences, reduce levels of discrimination, and ensure that they receive any help and support needed. Topics covered include domestic abuse, modern slavery, arrests, custody and remand, safeguarding and diversion programmes. More than 50 lawyers, trainees and paralegals from across the firm have been involved in this project resulting in 5 several-hundred-page reports full of our findings on this subject.
