Professor Jessica Jacobson

In partnership with the Centre for Justice Innovation, ICPR conducted research on problem-solving practice in the Youth Court of England and Wales. Based in three specific localities, the aims of the project were to identify what kinds of problem-solving practice could best meet the changing needs of court-involved children and young people; to identify how this enhanced practice can be implemented; and to determine how the impact of this enhanced practice could be tested. The research entailed interviews of court users and youth justice practitioners , observations of court hearings, and analysis of courts and YOT data, in order to gain an understanding of current practice, opportunities for innovation, and barriers to and facilitators of reform.

Hunter, Gill and Jacobson, Jessica (2021) Exploring procedural justice and problem-solving practice in the Youth Court. Discussion Paper. HM Inspectorate of Probation, Canterbury, UK

Hunter, Gillian and Ely, C. and Robin-D'Cruz, C. and Whitehead, S. (2020) Time to get it right: enhancing problem-solving practice in the Youth Court. Centre for Justice Innovation, London, UK

Almost any crime that is committed today gives rise to evidence in digital forms. Such evidence frequently includes communications – via a wide array of social media platforms and messaging applications – between or among suspects, witnesses and victims. The nature, volume and complexity of ‘social media evidence’ pose multiple challenges but also new opportunities for the investigative and prosecution process. These challenges and opportunities were explored through a research project which examined how, in practice, social media evidence is utilized in the investigation and prosecution of serious sexual and violent offences.

Harris, Martyn and Jacobson, Jessica and Provetti, Alessandro (2024) Sentiment and time-series analysis of direct-message conversations. Forensic Science International: Digital Investigation 49 (301753), pp. 1-14. ISSN 2666-2825.

In partnership with Victim Support and The Centre for Justice Innovation, ICPR undertook research into how language barriers can impact individuals’ experiences of the criminal justice system (CJS). The project combined a review of national policy and data with close examination of organisational practices and individual experiences in two contrasting locations. The main aims of the project were to gain greater insight into the experiences of English speakers of other languages (ESOL) who are victims of crime, or otherwise in contact with the criminal justice system, and to support improvements to the way that these individuals are supported and dealt with by the CJS.

Hunter, G., Bhardwa, B., Dinisman, T., Moroz, A., Anastassiou, A.., and Lynall, A.. (2022) Language barriers in the criminal justice system (Full report). London, ICPR

This international research and policy project (jointly funded by the Open Society Foundations) examined the use of imprisonment in ten contrasting jurisdictions across all five continents. It aimed to advance understanding of the factors that drive high levels of imprisonment and help develop the capacity of civil society and governmental organisations to surmount barriers to reform.

For information on outputs, see https://www.prisonstudies.org/ten-country-prisons-project

This international research and policy project (jointly funded by Porticus) examined the use of imprisonment in ten contrasting jurisdictions across all five continents. It aimed to advance understanding of the factors that drive high levels of imprisonment and help develop the capacity of civil society and governmental organisations to surmount barriers to reform.

For information on outputs, see https://www.prisonstudies.org/ten-country-prisons-project

It is a long-established legal principle in England and Wales that people should be able to participate effectively in the court and tribunal proceedings that directly concern them. This project, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, was a unique, cross-jurisdictional study which considered what exactly it means to participate in judicial proceedings, why participation matters, and what factors impede and, conversely, support participation.

The study combined a review of national and international policy with empirical research in criminal and family courts and in employment and immigration and asylum tribunal hearings.  The findings point to the multi-faceted nature of participation by lay court users in judicial proceedings.

Jacobson, Jessica and Cooper, Penny, eds. (2020) Participation in courts and tribunals: concepts, realities and aspirations. Bristol: Bristol University Press

Jacobson, Jessica (2020) 'Participation in courts and tribunals' Policy Briefing, Bristol University Press

Cooper, Penny (2020) The Advocate's Gateway: Supporting Participation in Courts and Tribunals: Toolkit 19

Jacobson, Jessica (2020) Effective participation in criminal proceedings: principle and practice, blog for the British Society of Criminology

Kirby, Amy and Jacobson, Jessica (2022) Procedural justice in the courts. Clinks Evidence Library

Cooper, Penny and Jacobson, Jessica and Kong, Camillia (2023) Techniques for questioning vulnerable lay participants. Counsel Magazine

In partnership with the Centre for Death and Society at the University of Bath, ICPR conducted research on the role of bereaved people in inquests. By means of empirical investigation and policy analysis, the study will address the following questions:

• How is the status and role of the bereaved at inquests defined in law and policy, and what are bereaved people’s own expectations and experiences of inquests? 
• To what extent, in what ways and circumstances and for what purposes should bereaved people be ‘at the heart’ of the coronial process and have an active role in inquest proceedings? 
• What policy and practice changes would support inclusion and involvement of bereaved people in inquests (and, potentially, other kinds of legal proceedings) in ways that are attuned to social and legal norms as well as the expectations of the bereaved themselves?

A range of research reports, policy and practice briefings and other project materials are available at https://voicing-loss.icpr.org.uk/

Jacobson, Jessica and Murray, Alex and Rumble, H. and Templeton, L. (2024) Coronial investigations: past deaths and future lives. In: Jones, I. and Trabsky, M. (eds.) Routledge Handbook of Law and Death. London, UK: Routledge. ISBN 9781032303383. (In Press)

The aim of this programme is to establish a more comprehensive understanding of the nature of online fraud, to provide a basis for more effective and better targeted measures to prevent, prepare, protect, and pursue fraud. Currently, we do not know enough about the impact on victims of online fraud or the ‘career history’ of online fraud offenders. As a result, the prioritisation of fraud and the allocation of resources within the wider policing system to combat fraud is not as effective as it could be. This project explores how a new typology of fraud based on victim impact could improve the allocation of resources and outcomes for victims. This also includes looking at current policy and practice surrounding online fraud and how fraudulent activity may evolve in the future.

Bhardwa, Bina (2024) Tackling online fraud: is it time to take a different approach? Birkbeck, University of London, London

Jacobson, Jessica, Bhardwa, Bina and Murray, Alex (2024) 'The internet acts as a level playing field. All it takes is one slip-up.' Online fraud and the sense of pervasive threat. Working Paper. Institute for Crime and Justice Policy Research, Birkbeck, University of London

Lived Experience of the Law: A research and policy project is a partnership between ICPR, Birkbeck and the national charity Revolving Doors. It began in January 2023 and will be completed by December 2025.

Effective participation in court proceedings is foundational to the delivery of justice; a principle promoted in law, policy, and guidance. It also relates closely to the broader principle of access to justice. Yet little is known about the understandings, expectations, and experiences of ‘participation’ and ‘access to justice’ on the part of members of the public who find themselves caught up in judicial proceedings. To fill this knowledge gap, this project aims to gain insight into the ways in which ‘the law’ is experienced and understood by individuals who are involved in criminal and family proceedings; and to examine the implications of lived experience of the law for effective participation and access to justice.

Gillian Hunter, Monica Thomas and Nicola Campbell (2024) Lived Experience of the Law pilot phase briefing: Experiences of public law care proceedings