A Wirral-based intermediary has been appointed chair of a national cooperative providing vulnerable people with communication support in court.
Nicky Tolley is the new chair of legal communication specialist, The Intermediary Cooperative (TIC).
TIC was established in April 2021 and has since grown to a network of over 50 experienced intermediaries across England and Wales.
In 2022, TIC was selected by the Ministry of Justice to be an HMCTS (HM Courts & Tribunals Service) Managed and Approved Service Provider.
TIC’s intermediaries come from a wide range of specialist backgrounds including Speech and Language Therapy, Teaching, Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health Nursing and the Law.
Nicky was previously a TIC director with responsibility for recruitment, training and quality assurance and has over 30 years’ experience working with children, young people and adults with speech, language and communication difficulties including almost two decades working in a school environment with students with special educational needs. She has been an intermediary since 2011.
Nicky said: “We have come a long way in the last three years and I am delighted to have been appointed chair to take TIC on the next stage of its journey.
“We are a not-for-profit social enterprise passionate about fair access to justice for vulnerable people.
“Our approach is always to provide a tailored, professional and cost-effective service to meet the specific needs of each vulnerable person.
“Recent court guidance from the judiciary has made this approach even more important than ever and this is where the experience of TIC’s members is so invaluable in supporting solicitors and barristers with intermediary applications, ensuring that their clients have the support they need when they most need it.”
Nicky (far left) takes the helm of the new-look leadership team which also includes Lou Evans (second left), who becomes a director with responsibility for member engagement, and Vicky Heron (second right) who continues as finance director. Clare Thomas (pictured right) was recently appointed managing director.
