My Summer Internship: Court in Session!  

Gemma Tattersall, Level 5 BSc (Hons) Psychology (Criminal Behaviour) student writes about her summer internship

This summer, I had the opportunity to complete a three-month internship with the Ministry of Justice, working within HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS). As a Psychology and Criminal Behaviour student, it was an opportunity I was particularly excited about because it meant stepping away from the lecture theatre and getting a glimpse into the real-world side of the criminal justice system.

So… what did I actually do?

Well… quite a lot!

One of the best things about my internship was that I wasn't restricted to just one role. I was able to experience several different aspects of how the courts operate, from behind-the-scenes case progression work, to working in the courtroom as an usher, and even spending some time working as a jury officer.

Behind the scenes

Before this internship, I don't think I fully appreciated just how much work goes into a court case before anyone even walks into the courtroom.

I was involved in case progression work, helping to make sure cases were moving forward and that the necessary steps were being taken. One of the areas I particularly enjoyed was fixing trial dates. This involved liaising with solicitor firms to coordinate suitable dates for trials, taking into account the availability of the different people involved and helping to ensure that cases could progress through the court system.

It was a great opportunity to develop my professional communication skills because I was communicating with legal professionals and dealing with real cases, rather than simply learning about the process from a textbook. It made me realise just how many moving parts there are behind every trial. A date appearing on a court diary might look like a very simple thing, but getting to that point can involve a surprising amount of communication, coordination and organisation!

I also worked on wider case progression, which gave me an insight into how cases are monitored and moved through the court system. It was fascinating to see how much planning happens behind the scenes before a case eventually reaches the courtroom.

In the courtroom

I also had the opportunity to work as a court usher, which meant moving from behind the scenes into the courtroom itself.

As an usher, I helped with the day-to-day running of hearings, prepared courtrooms and supported people attending court, including members of the public and legal professionals. Being in the courtroom allowed me to see how everything I had been working on behind the scenes eventually came together.

So, I can officially say that I spent my summer in court. Unfortunately, my internship did not involve dramatically shouting “OBJECTION!” across the courtroom! I quickly discovered that television dramas have perhaps given me a slightly unrealistic expectation of working in a court. There were fewer dramatic courtroom arguments and significantly more organisation, communication and checking that everything was where it was supposed to be!

And then there was jury duty… sort of!

Another part of my internship involved working as a jury officer.

This was particularly interesting because it gave me another perspective on the court process and the role that jurors play within it. It was also a great opportunity to develop my communication skills and interact with people who may never have experienced a court environment before.

Psychology meets the justice system

One of the things I found most interesting throughout the internship was seeing how my psychology degree connects with the criminal justice system.

We spend so much time at university discussing behaviour, memory, decision-making, mental health, personality and social influences. During my internship, I started noticing how relevant these areas are outside of the classroom.

Being in court also gave me a different perspective on the people involved in the justice system. Every case involves people with their own experiences, circumstances and behaviours, and seeing this first-hand made some of the topics we discuss at university feel much more real.

My experience also reinforced my interest in forensic psychology, particularly my interest in working with young people involved in the criminal justice system and supporting rehabilitation. There are real people, real behaviours and real-life consequences behind the theories we learn about.

Things I didn't expect to learn

One of the biggest things I took from the internship was just how many different people and roles are needed to make the justice system work.

Before starting, I think I had a much simpler idea of what happened in court. I now realise that for every hearing that takes place, there can be a huge amount of work happening behind the scenes to make it possible. From progressing cases and liaising with solicitor firms to fix trial dates, to preparing courtrooms, supporting jurors and helping hearings run smoothly, every role contributes to the bigger picture.

I also developed my confidence in communicating with people from a wide range of backgrounds and in situations that could sometimes be stressful or unfamiliar for those attending court and, perhaps most importantly, I learned that starting a new job where you don't know anyone, don't know where anything is and don't understand half of the terminology is actually a very effective way of developing your ability to confidently nod along while secretly thinking I'm going to Google that later!

Would I recommend an internship?

Absolutely.

For me, the internship wasn't just something to put on my CV. It helped me understand the justice system from a completely different perspective and gave me a much better idea of where I might want my psychology degree to take me. I've always been interested in forensic psychology, but this experience has made that interest feel much more real.

It has also made me realise how valuable it is for psychology students to look for opportunities outside of university. Whether that's volunteering, work experience, internships or simply speaking to professionals in areas you're interested in, those experiences can teach you things that a textbook can't.

Plus, they give you something slightly more interesting to say when someone asks, so, what did you do over summer? I can simply say I spent three months working for the Ministry of Justice!

Back to university…

As I head back into another year of my Psychology and Criminal Behaviour degree, I'm taking away much more than just three months of work experience. I've gained confidence, developed new skills, learned more about the criminal justice system and, most importantly, had an experience that has strengthened my ambition to pursue a career where psychology and criminal justice meet. I've also come away with a much greater appreciation for the huge amount of work that happens behind the scenes to make the justice system function.

So, was spending my summer in court worth it?

100%.

Would I do it again?

Absolutely.

Did I get to wear a wig?

Sadly, no!

However, I came away with a much better understanding of the justice system, a whole new set of skills, and an even stronger sense that psychology and criminal justice is where I want my future career to take me.

So, as I head back to university for another year of lectures and assignments, I’ll be taking a little bit of the courtroom experience with me and who knows perhaps one day I’ll be back in court again, but this time as a forensic psychologist.

For now, though, I think I've had my day in court!