In 2001, Support Through Court began with a simple but powerful question: why is no one here to help people in the civil courts?
Twenty-five years on, that question has shaped a charity that has supported people on over half a million occasions, standing beside individuals who would otherwise have faced the court process alone.
How it all began
Our story starts at the Old Bailey, where our founder, Diana Copisarow OBE, was volunteering with the Witness Service. She received an unexpected call from Lord Woolf, then Lord Chief Justice. He asked whether she could help a woman who was terrified about going through a civil case on her own at the Royal Courts of Justice.
At the time, the criminal courts offered structured support — from police chaperones to the Witness Service. But in the civil courts, where people faced housing disputes, family breakdown, debt or immigration issues, there was nothing comparable. People were expected to navigate complex legal processes alone, often at moments of intense stress and vulnerability.
Diana saw the gap — and the need. With the encouragement and support of Lord Woolf and others, she founded the first Personal Support Unit at the Royal Courts of Justice: a civil equivalent of the Witness Service.
A simple idea with lasting impact
From the outset, the idea was to provide free, practical and emotional support to people who are representing themselves in court. Not legal advice, but reassurance, clarity and a human presence at a moment when it matters most.
That first unit quickly demonstrated how much demand there was. Word spread. Courts asked for similar support. Volunteers stepped forward. Gradually, the model grew beyond the Royal Courts of Justice to family and civil courts across England and Wales.
Today, that original Personal Support Unit has evolved into Support Through Court, but the core purpose remains unchanged: to help people understand what’s happening, prepare for hearings, and feel less alone in a system that can be overwhelming.
25 years of standing beside people
Over the past quarter-century, we’ve supported people facing some of the most challenging moments of their lives — separation from a partner, disputes over children, eviction, debt, or navigating a court process without legal representation.
Over 25 years, we have helped people on over 650,000 occasions.
What has never changed is the power of being there. Someone to explain what a form means. Someone to help organise papers. Someone to sit beside a person in court, offering calm reassurance when anxiety is high.
That support has been delivered by thousands of dedicated volunteers, alongside staff and partners who believe that access to justice should not depend on whether you can afford a lawyer.
Looking ahead
This Founder’s Day, as we mark our 25th anniversary, we’re proud of how far we’ve come — but we’re also clear-eyed about the growing need for our services. More people than ever are navigating the courts without legal representation, and the system remains daunting and complex.
The question Diana asked in 2001 still matters today. And so does the answer: people deserve support, dignity and understanding when facing court alone.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey so far — volunteers, supporters, partners and, above all, the people who have trusted us at some of the most difficult moments of their lives. We look forward to continuing to stand beside them for many years to come.
