TAG News and Updates
Check back here regularly for news and updates relevant to the work undertaken by The Advocate's Gateway. Contact us if you would like to advertise relevant information for site visitors.
TAG / NTU Conference 2026
Nottingham Law School (NLS) and The Advocate's Gateway (TAG) are relaunching their international conference series with 'Reimagining Advocacy: Enabling Participation and Protecting Vulnerability Across Justice Systems', taking place on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 June 2026. The conference brings together scholars, practitioners and policymakers to examine how vulnerability is understood and addressed across criminal, civil and family justice. Abstracts for individual papers or panels should be submitted by Friday 17 April 2026. The delegate rate, including lunch and refreshments, is £60.
Publication of Updated and Revised Toolkit 13 and a New Toolkit 13A
TAG is delighted to announce the publication of updated and revised Toolkit 13, concerned with vulnerable witnesses and parties in the Family Court, and the introduction of Toolkit 13A, a crib sheet for practitioners. Thanks go to Kyah Mufti, Thomas Clarke and Max Melsa from Deka Chambers for updating Toolkit 13 and writing Toolkit 13A.
New Chair of TAG Appointed, and a Thank You to Departing Members
The management committee is proud to announce the appointment of its new Chair, Professor Jonathan Doak, Professor of Criminal Justice and Associate Dean for Research at Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University. Jonathan has published extensively on the protection and participation of vulnerable individuals in the legal system and was an investigator on Mapping the Changing Face of Cross-Examination. Separately, the committee announced that Linda Hunting, Secretary of TAG and one of its founding members, is stepping back from her role after an immeasurable contribution to TAG's conferences, books and toolkits.
A Case Study on Public Inquiry Engagement with Vulnerable Witnesses
The Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly published a case study on the Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry's engagement with vulnerable witnesses, written by Dr Emma Ireton and Christopher Ratcliffe of Nottingham Law School. It offers insight into the key considerations, adjustments and support provided by the Inquiry, and how it puts the needs and interests of vulnerable participants at the heart of its process.
Voicing Loss Research on Coroners' Inquests
TAG shares the results of the Voicing Loss project, an ESRC-funded study by Birkbeck, University of London, and the University of Bath examining the role of bereaved people in coroners' inquests, based on interviews with 89 bereaved individuals plus coronial professionals and witnesses. Outputs include Principles for Practice papers on information and communication, quality of interactions at inquest hearings, and respecting and including the deceased person, available at the Voicing Loss project website.
Publication of Updated and Revised Toolkit 1A
TAG announces the publication of updated and revised Toolkit 1A, concerned with case management in criminal cases involving vulnerable witnesses and defendants. Thanks go to HHJ Rosina Cottage KC, and Gillian Jones KC and Felicia Davy from Red Lion Chambers for updating Toolkit 1A.
Publication of Updated and Revised Toolkits 1 and 8
TAG announces the publication of updated and revised Toolkit 1, concerned with Ground Rules Hearings and the fair treatment of vulnerable people in court, and Toolkit 8, concerned with the effective participation of young defendants. Thanks go to the Criminal Bar Association and to Paul Jarvis of 6KBW Chambers for their work updating Toolkits 1 and 8 respectively.