I'm not really sure what my question is, I guess this is a more 'interested in your observations' thread than seeking and answer.
I went to spend some time in a magistrates court recently to assist me with my law studies. I was rather taken aback at the lack of .....something I can't quite put my finger on.... towards disability. I am autistic and I also muscular disability. I find it very difficult to stand and walk around. My muscles go to sleep very quickly and I struggle to get out of a chair. I have a blue badge and have to use either a walking frame or on a good day a walking stick or 2.
When I arrived at the court I had to go through a metal detector, which I set off. I had to empty my pockets and put my bag on the side, but I still set it off. I kept having to walk backwards and forwards through this bloomin machine, repeatedly setting it off and being searched, until another guard spotted that it was my walking sticks which were setting if off. (How stoopid am I) So then they insisted I walk through without them. Hallo! I don't have them for fun you know. I did it, but I was very unhappy because I was very unstable.
Then there was the grand old duke of york routine in the actual court. You know what I mean, 'all rise' every time the magistrates enter or leave the room. I confess, I didn't try to stand but that's because I know the limitations of my disability. The clerk came over with a face like thunder and gave me a right telling off in front of everyone. I tried to point out my walking sticks and that I was disabled but she was having none of. After that she glared at me everytime it was time to stand. So I did my best but I'm slow so by the time I got up everyone else had already sat down and I felt like a bit of tit. In the end I left early because I felt a bit humiliated and I'd had enough.
I do wonder what the consequences would have been if I had ignored the clerk and remained seated.
I also wonder if the magistrates court are also bound by the Human Rights Act and if they breach it, how one would go about taking a Court to Court. Purely hypothetically of course. :o
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Legal matters
Magistrates Courts Procedures and Disability Discrimination
Kladdkaka · 17/07/2011 22:55
Yes, I think she thought I was being delibrately difficult. I was also pretty sure she was out of order, but as a first visitor, I didn't feel confident in ignoring here. I was scared I might end up in a cell myself 
My mum has the same condition as me and she spends half her life in the same court (she's head of the councils council tax recovery department not a career criminal) and she's never had a problem. I suspect the clerk assumes that anyone is the public area is of dodgy stock.
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