https://insidehmcts.blog.gov.uk/unveiling-justice-showcasing-our-courts-at-public-open-days-podcast-transcript/
Unveiling justice: Showcasing our courts at public open days - podcast transcript
[English] - [Cymraeg]
Alex:
I've really enjoyed it. I've participated in a number of events, took part in a mock trial this morning where I got to play the judge, that was very enjoyable.
Marek:
Very good experience to try it because you don't get that everyday.
Jordana:
It's all about open justice really. You can't pull a curtain across the courts and say ‘don't worry about what goes on in there, it's justice, don't worry’. I think it needs to be seen to be being done as well.
Liz:
Hello and welcome to this inside HMCTS podcast. Today we're discussing open days in our courts and tribunals. Our open days offer the public an amazing opportunity to visit a real court and see first-hand how justice is delivered.
We're going to hear later from some visitors to an open day in London about their experiences, but first we're joined by Molly Seymour, the Delivery Manager at Crime Lincolnshire, who helped arrange an open day for Lincoln Crown Court in September 2023. Hello Molly.
Molly:
Hello.
Liz:
Lovely to have you with us today. And we're also joined by Jordana Allen-Rowlandson who arranged and indeed won an award for her role in organising an open day at Winchester Crown Court in March 2023. Hello Jordana.
Jordana:
Hello.
Liz:
Hello, lovely to have you with us today as well, welcome to you both. Molly, if I can come to you first. So you helped arrange the Lincoln Crown Court open day, could you tell us a little bit about your role in arranging the day and what sort of activities took place?
Molly:
We decided to do the open day when we did because it's 200 years this year since the first brick was laid in the Lincoln Crown Court building, so around two or three months before we started working with the team at the Crown Court as well as Judiciary, there was a lot of work that was involved in organising the actual day. We had activities take place, such as the opportunity for members of the public to try on wigs and gowns, to visit the cells and we even held two mock trials throughout the day which members of the public could get involved in.
Liz:
You mentioned organising a mock trial at the court, which was actually based on an actual trial, which was heard at Lincoln in the 1800s. So how did the people who attended, how did they react to this recreation of history?
Molly:
It was one of the highlights of the day, for definite. You're absolutely right, it was based on William Frederick Horry who was tried in Lincoln Crown Court in March in 1872. He was tried with murder and the reason why we also selected his case was he was the first person in the UK to be executed by the long drop method of hanging which actually took place in Lincoln Castle, which is where Lincoln Crown Court is situated. It really tied in with the history of the building and with Lincoln.
Liz:
And how was the trial in practice? Did people seem to enjoy it?
Molly:
Yes, they really did. We got members of the public involved, so we had members of the public who were jurors, who were witnesses and even the defendant and were stood in the dock.
Liz:
Jordana, so perhaps if I can turn to you. Can you tell us how was it arranging the Winchester Crown Court open day and what kind of activities took place at that event?
Jordana:
In terms of what events we had, we also had mock trials and we had a mock sentence court as well. It was a Harry Potter themed mock trial and I think yeah, people really enjoyed it. We also had displays of judges gowns and wigs where members of the public could try them on. In one of our other courtrooms we had ‘A day in the life of’ talks so there were talks again running every half an hour from a police officer, from a prison officer, from a probation officer, from a judge, a barrister, a solicitor.
We also had a tour of the cells, that was very, very popular and we had prison vans outside as well as police vehicles and police bikes. We had the road traffic team with their equipment and they had these beer goggles that they put on people and then they'd have to try and walk in a straight line. They sort of disorientate you as if you'd had maybe a bit too much to drink. The police well-being dogs were a great addition as well.
Liz:
Goodness, well there's a lot there. So first of all, just turning to the mock trial. You mentioned it was a Harry Potter theme obviously to try and perhaps engage with some of the younger visitors. How did you come up with this idea and how well did visitors engage with it?
Jordana:
The mock trial was a Harry Potter theme. It was Draco Malfoy bringing a bladed article into Hogwarts and threatening Hermione with it, allegedly. They ran for about 30 minutes, so we held a couple throughout the day. The judge was really keen to get young people involved because usually jurors can't be selected unless they're over 18, so we wanted to get all the members of the jury as under 18 sort of teenagers and young children. We had a mixed bag of verdicts, some people Malfoy went straight down and other times found innocent. It was interesting to see how the various cases were presented, even though it's the same mock trial running, obviously different witnesses give different things. I think as well we had partnered with the local school, a couple of local schools, and we put each barrister with a student. The students sat with the barrister and could see how they asked the questions and how they prepared to cross examine or give their closing speech or opening speech and I think that was really interesting for the students to see as well.
Liz:
Do you think you have any budding barristers or lawyers or members of the Judiciary who were attending on the day, who might now be inspired?
Jordana:
I think, yeah definitely. I think pretty much all of them were very inspired. One particular student actually got offered a paid internship over the summer with the solicitor that she was working with during the mock trial and really enjoyed that. As a result of that she got a full scholarship to Winchester College to read law at A Level. It's really interesting to see the impact of open days having on individual people and like sort of the butterfly effect that it can have, especially in terms of people looking to get into legal careers.
Liz:
How many people attended in the end?
Jordana:
We had about 5,000 people walk through the door. We didn't expect that many people to be honest with you. So it almost became like more exciting than Christmas morning for everyone involved. We were sort of looking out the window thinking is anyone coming to our party and then the queues just started piling and we didn't have as many volunteers for 5,000 people to be able to speak to everyone so the High Sheriff started handing out leaflets and senior HMCTS directors came and were just talking to members of the public as well.
We had the Mayor there to open the doors, the Mayor of Winchester. It was just so energetic. I think everyone was so excited, particularly the members of the public, but actually also the judges. They were in full gown and wig just talking to people and everyone was really, really excited about the whole thing.
Liz:
Molly, if we can turn back to you just for a moment. I think you mentioned one of the activities you had was visitors to the court were able to try on robes and wigs and so on. I would imagine that that judges, wigs, advocates wigs are a bit scratchy and uncomfortable, but how did members of the public respond to that?
Molly:
Yeah, they really enjoyed it. We had a station set up in one of our courtrooms, which was managed by a member of our team. Members of the public could try on one of the wigs and one of the gowns and have their photograph taken as well so they had a bit of a memento from the day. Like you mentioned they are really itchy, the wig, very scratchy in texture, so I'm not sure if that surprised them, but they definitely enjoyed the experience to get to try one on.
Liz:
Another thing you mentioned was people being allowed to tour the cells and see what those are like. What did you think of the response of the public to that?
Molly:
I think as well as the mock trial, the visit to the cells was one of the most enjoyable experiences for members of the public. It's a place that most people never get to see, so having that space opened up for members of the public was invaluable really for them to be able to see exactly what they look like.
Liz:
How many people attended on the day?
Molly:
We welcomed 1,444 people on the day which we were really, really pleased by. We did not expect to have that many people and the building is quite small in itself so we were really proud that we were able to open up to that many people.
Liz:
But you don't just need to take our word for it. We spoke to some visitors about their experiences of an open day in September at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
Alex:
I'm Alex and I live in Lewisham. I've really enjoyed it. I've participated in a number of events, took part in a mock trial this morning where I got to play the judge, that was very enjoyable. We've also been down into the cells and I got to pick up the riot shield from the equipment. It was really, really good to see what they've got and talk with some of the guards down there. I very much enjoyed walking around the building, it's been brilliant.
Louise:
My name's Louise and I'm from Bromley in Kent. I've just joined the robing exercise and found it fascinating to see the different robes to understand who wears them and then to see the detail gone into making them is really, really fascinating. It's really important that we appreciate the process that legal professionals go through in order to ensure the law is met and to see an operation like this, to see behind the scenes and get access to the courts is a great experience.
Liz:
We caught up with Marek from London as he was coming out of the judges’ robing rooms, where he just tried on a surprisingly heavy robe.
Marek:
Yeah, so I tried a black silk and gold gown and it was very, very interesting to wear it. It was very heavy. I can imagine the judges are very strong people because they have to wear it for the whole day and it must be very hot in that as well. Yeah, it's a very good experience to try it because you don't get that every day. It's very interesting to be here and I've been here before three years ago. I brought my son today just for him to see how everyday life court is working.
Liz:
For some courts and tribunals, open days can be a really good opportunity for recruitment. We also spoke to Robert, a, Clerk of the President of the King's Bench Division at the Royal Courts of Justice, about the open day and about some beneficial contacts he'd had with members of the public.
Robert:
It’s been brilliant. I'm actually currently recruiting for judges clerks so I'm getting to talk to quite a lot of members of the public and drumming up some interest in the role, it's been really good. There's people that are interested and the jobs quite a unique role so when they realise what's involved and what we actually do, there's quite a lot of interest. So yeah, I'm hopeful there'll be one or two.
Liz:
Jordana, in terms of organising the event, you had various volunteers and other groups and organisations involved. Can you tell us a little bit more about who did you work with in order to bring the day together.
Jordana:
Well Winchester have a very close community of criminal justice partners that we see on a day-to-day basis and I think deriving from our Court User Group meetings, we were able to give the idea of the open day and everyone was able to contribute and take pieces of work away as well.
So we had, for example, the local Criminal Justice Board took a lot of the advertising and a lot of the police volunteer fronts came from them. Probation were able to, in our mock sentence, appear there and show members of the public what they do. Members of the public were able to see how judges sentence because they put the sentencing guidelines on the screen. But probation were able to contribute and say that they had written a pre-sentence report and give the judge a little bit more information about the defendant that was being sentenced.
I think that's really important for members of the public to see as well, because every criminal justice partner does their bit in the real world, in the criminal justice system to bring justice together. I think everyone taking pieces away with them, contributing what they actually do to show the members of the public at the open day what they do and that was really interesting. I think it it's all about open justice really, you can't pull a curtain across the courts and say ‘don't worry about what goes on in there, it's justice, don't worry’. I think it needs to be seen to be being done as well. I think open days are really, really important parts of showing people the work that goes in.
Liz:
And Molly, perhaps I can check with you as well but what sort of organisations and partners did you work with in order to set up your open day?
Molly:
We worked with various criminal partner agencies. The Crown Prosecution Service had a stall where they could show the work that they do, similarly probation and also witness services. We had members of the services team who opened up their witness room so that members of public could see where witnesses wait and what happens to witnesses when they come to court.
We also had other colleagues from other areas of HMCTS. We had magistrates’ court colleagues, colleagues from our enforcement unit and also bailiffs from our county court building so that they could have the opportunity to speak to members of the public and let them know what they do within their roles as well. So we had a lot of different people from different areas of the justice system involved.
Liz:
It sounds like these events have a lot to offer to the local community. What kind of benefit do you think it gives people who perhaps don't get to walk inside the court every day?
Molly:
I think it just opens up what happens behind closed doors and it helps get rid of some of the myths about what may happen. People can see for themselves what the rooms look like, we had displays showing what kind of work we hear. It just really opened up and showed the public what we do on a day to day basis.
Liz:
I'd like to say a huge thank you to both Molly and Jordana for joining us today. You've really helped us see how beneficial open days can be for local communities and how visitors can really enjoy seeing behind the scenes of a day-to-day court experience.
Molly:
Thank you very much for the opportunity.
Jordana:
Thank you for having us.
Liz:
If you'd like to see if your local court is hosting an open day, please visit our Find a Court or Tribunal page on GOV.UK for further information. You can also stay updated through our social media channels @HMCTSgovuk where we publicise upcoming events on a regular basis. Thank you for joining us today for our podcast. We hope you found the episode interesting and we look forward to speaking to you again, soon.
[English] - [Cymraeg]
Alex:
Dwi wedi mwynhau yn fawr. Dwi wedi cymryd rhan mewn nifer o ddigwyddiadau, wedi cymryd rhan mewn ffug dreial y bore yma lle cefais gyfle i chwarae rhan y barnwr, a oedd yn ddifyr iawn.
Marek:
Profiad da iawn i roi cynnig arno oherwydd dydych chi ddim yn cael hyn bob dydd.
Jordana:
Mae'n ymwneud â chyfiawnder agored mewn gwirionedd. Ni allwch dynnu llen ar draws y llysoedd a dweud ‘peidiwch â phoeni am yr hyn sy’n digwydd yno, mae cyfiawnder yn digwydd, peidiwch â phoeni’. Dwi’n meddwl bod angen ei weld yn digwydd hefyd.
Liz:
Helo a chroeso i’r bennod hon o bodlediad ‘Inside HMCTS’. Heddiw rydyn ni'n trafod diwrnodau agored yn ein llysoedd a'n tribiwnlysoedd. Mae ein diwrnodau agored yn cynnig cyfle gwych i’r cyhoedd ymweld â llys go iawn a gweld drostynt eu hunain sut mae cyfiawnder yn cael ei gyflawni.
Rydyn ni'n mynd i glywed yn ddiweddarach gan rai ymwelwyr â diwrnod agored yn Llundain am eu profiadau, ond yn gyntaf bydd Molly Seymour, Rheolwr Cyflawni Crime Lincolnshire, a helpodd i drefnu diwrnod agored ar gyfer Llys y Goron Lincoln ym mis Medi 2023 yn ymuno â ni. Helo Molly.
Molly:
Helo.
Liz:
Mae’n hyfryd eich cael chi yma heddiw. Ac yn ymuno â ni hefyd mae Jordana Allen-Rowlandson a drefnodd ddiwrnod agored yn Llys y Goron Caer-wynt ym mis Mawrth 2023, ac yn wir enillodd wobr am ei rôl yn ei drefnu. Helo Jordana.
Jordana:
Helo.
Liz:
Helo, hyfryd eich cael chi yma heddiw hefyd, croeso i chi'ch dau. Molly, os ga i ddod atoch chi yn gyntaf. Felly mi wnaethoch chi helpu i drefnu diwrnod agored Llys y Goron Lincoln; a allech chi ddweud ychydig wrthym ni am eich rôl wrth drefnu'r diwrnod a pha fath o weithgareddau a gynhaliwyd?
Molly:
Fe benderfynon ni gynnal y diwrnod agored pan wnaethom ni oherwydd ei bod hi’n 200 mlynedd eleni ers gosod y fricsen gyntaf yn adeilad Llys y Goron Lincoln, felly tua dau neu dri mis cyn i ni ddechrau gweithio gyda’r tîm yn Llys y Goron yn ogystal â’r Farnwriaeth, roedd llawer o waith yn ymwneud â threfnu'r diwrnod ei hun. Cynhaliwyd gweithgareddau, megis y cyfle i aelodau'r cyhoedd wisgo wigiau a gynau, i ymweld â'r celloedd, a chynhaliwyd dau dreial ffug yn ystod y dydd y gallai aelodau'r cyhoedd gymryd rhan ynddyn nhw.
Liz:
Fe wnaethoch chi sôn am drefnu treial ffug yn y llys, a oedd yn seiliedig ar dreial gwirioneddol, a wrandawyd yn Lincoln yn y 19eg ganrif. Felly sut wnaeth y bobl a fynychodd ymateb i'r hanes yma’n cael ei ail-greu?
Molly:
Roedd yn un o uchafbwyntiau’r dydd, yn bendant. Rydych chi'n llygad eich lle, roedd yn seiliedig ar William Frederick Horry a gafodd ei roi ar brawf yn Llys y Goron Lincoln ym mis Mawrth 1872. Cafodd ei roi ar brawf am lofruddiaeth, a'r rheswm pam y dewison ni ei achos hefyd oedd mai ef oedd y person cyntaf yn y DU i gael ei ddienyddio trwy ddefnyddio’r dull gollyngiad hir o grogi a ddigwyddodd yng Nghastell Lincoln, lle mae Llys y Goron Lincoln wedi'i leoli. Roedd yn cysylltu'n wirioneddol â hanes yr adeilad ac â Lincoln.
Liz:
A sut oedd y treial yn ymarferol? Oedd pobl fel petaen nhw’n ei fwynhau?
Molly:
Do, fe wnaethon nhw wir. Cawsom aelodau o'r cyhoedd i gymryd rhan, felly roedd gennym ni aelodau o'r cyhoedd a oedd yn rheithwyr, a oedd yn dystion a hyd yn oed y diffynnydd ac a oedd yn sefyll yn y doc.
Liz:
Jordana, felly efallai os caf droi atoch chi. A allwch ddweud wrthym ni sut beth oedd trefnu diwrnod agored Llys y Goron Caer-wynt a pha fath o weithgareddau a gynhaliwyd yn y digwyddiad hwnnw?
Jordana:
O ran pa ddigwyddiadau wnaethom ni eu cynnal, fe wnaethom ni gynnal treialon ffug a llys dedfryd ffug hefyd. Roedd yn dreial ffug seiliedig ar thema Harry Potter a dwi'n meddwl ie, roedd pobl wedi mwynhau'n fawr. Roedd gennym ni hefyd arddangosfeydd o wigiau a gynau barnwyr lle gallai aelodau'r cyhoedd eu gwisgo. Yn un o’n hystafelloedd llys eraill cawsom sgyrsiau ‘Diwrnod ym mywyd’ felly roedd sgyrsiau’n cael eu cynnal eto bob hanner awr gan heddwas, gan swyddog carchar, gan swyddog prawf, gan farnwr, bargyfreithiwr, a chyfreithiwr.
Gwnaethom gynnal taith o amgylch y celloedd hefyd, a oedd yn boblogaidd iawn, iawn ac roedd gennym faniau carchar y tu allan yn ogystal â cherbydau heddlu a beiciau heddlu. Roedd gennym ni'r tîm traffig ffyrdd gyda'u hoffer ac roedd ganddyn nhw'r gogls cwrw hyn maen nhw'n eu rhoi ar bobl ac yna byddai'n rhaid iddyn nhw geisio cerdded mewn llinell syth. Maen nhw'n creu dryswch i chi fel petaech chi wedi cael ychydig gormod i'w yfed. Roedd cŵn lles yr heddlu yn ychwanegiad gwych hefyd.
Liz:
Iesgob, wel mae yna lawer o bethau yno. Felly yn gyntaf oll, wrth droi at y treial ffug. Fe wnaethoch chi sôn ei fod yn seiliedig ar thema Harry Potter yn amlwg er mwyn ceisio ymgysylltu â rhai o’r ymwelwyr iau efallai. Sut wnaethoch chi feddwl am y syniad hwn a pha mor dda y gwnaeth ymwelwyr ymgysylltu ag ef?
Jordana:
Thema Harry Potter oedd y ffug dreial. Honnir bod Draco Malfoy wedi dod a chyllell i Hogwarts ac yn bygwth Hermione ag ef. Roedden nhw tua 30 munud o hyd, felly fe wnaethon ni gynnal cwpl trwy gydol y dydd. Roedd y barnwr yn awyddus iawn i gael pobl ifanc i gymryd rhan oherwydd fel arfer ni all rheithwyr gael eu dewis oni bai eu bod dros 18 oed, felly roeddem am gael holl aelodau'r rheithgor i fod dan 18 oed, yn eu harddegau ac yn blant ifanc. Cawsom ganlyniadau cymysg o ran reithfarnau, roedd rhai pobl yn canfod Malfoy yn euog yn syth, ac ar adegau eraill roedd yn cael ei ganfod yn ddieuog. Roedd yn ddiddorol gweld sut y cyflwynwyd yr achosion amrywiol, er mai'r un ffug dreial oedd yn cael ei gynnal, yn amlwg mae tystion gwahanol yn cyflwyno gwahanol bethau. Dwi’n meddwl hefyd ein bod wedi ffurfio partneriaeth â'r ysgol leol, cwpl o ysgolion lleol, ac fe wnaethom baru pob bargyfreithiwr gyda myfyriwr. Eisteddodd y myfyrwyr gyda'r bargyfreithiwr ac roedden nhw’n gallu gweld sut roedden nhw’n gofyn y cwestiynau a sut roedden nhw’n paratoi i groesholi neu roi eu haraith gloi neu araith agoriadol a dwi’n meddwl bod hynny'n ddiddorol iawn i'r myfyrwyr ei weld hefyd.
Liz:
Ydych chi'n meddwl bod gennych chi unrhyw ddarpar fargyfreithwyr neu gyfreithwyr neu aelodau o'r Farnwriaeth a wnaeth fynychu ar y diwrnod, a allai gael eu hysbrydoli nawr?
Jordana:
Ie dwi’n meddwl, yn bendant. Dwi’n meddwl bod bron pob un ohonyn nhw wedi'u hysbrydoli'n fawr. Cafodd un myfyriwr penodol gynnig interniaeth â thâl dros yr haf gyda’r cyfreithiwr yr oedd yn gweithio gydag ef yn ystod y ffug dreial a mwynhaodd hynny’n fawr. O ganlyniad i hynny cafodd ysgoloriaeth lawn i Goleg Caer-wynt i astudio’r gyfraith ar gyfer Safon Uwch. Mae'n ddiddorol iawn gweld yr effaith y mae diwrnodau agored yn ei chael ar bobl unigol a'r math o effaith pili-pala y gall ei chael, yn enwedig o ran pobl sy'n edrych i ddechrau gyrfa ym maes y gyfraith.
Liz:
Faint o bobl wnaeth fynychu yn y diwedd?
Jordana:
Cawsom tua 5,000 o bobl yn cerdded drwy'r drws. Nid oeddem yn disgwyl cymaint o bobl a hynny i fod yn onest. Felly roedd bron yn fwy cyffrous na bore Nadolig i bawb a gymerodd ran. Roeddem yn edrych allan drwy'r ffenest yn meddwl a oes unrhyw un am ddod i'n parti, ac yna roedd y ciwiau’n dechrau llenwi ac nid oedd gennym ddigon o wirfoddolwyr i 5,000 o bobl allu siarad â phawb felly dechreuodd yr Uchel Siryf ddosbarthu taflenni a daeth uwch-gyfarwyddwyr GLlTEF i siarad ag aelodau o'r cyhoedd hefyd.
Roedd y Maer yno i agor y drysau, Maer Caer-wynt. Roedd pethau llawn bwrlwm. Dwi’n meddwl bod pawb mor gyffrous, yn enwedig aelodau o'r cyhoedd, ond y barnwyr hefyd mewn gwirionedd. Roedden nhw mewn wigiau a gynau llawn yn siarad â phobl ac roedd pawb yn wirioneddol gyffrous am yr holl beth.
Liz:
Molly, os allwn ni droi yn ôl atoch chi am eiliad. Dwi’n meddwl ichi sôn am un o'r gweithgareddau a wnaethoch chi oedd bod ymwelwyr â'r llys yn gallu gwisgo’r gynau a’r wigiau ac ati. Byddwn yn dychmygu bod wigiau’r barnwyr, wigiau’r eiriolwyr yn graflyd ac yn anghyfforddus, ond sut ymatebodd aelodau'r cyhoedd i hynny?
Molly:
Ie, fe wnaethon nhw fwynhau'n fawr. Roedd gennym orsaf wedi'i sefydlu yn un o'n hystafelloedd llys, a oedd yn cael ei rheoli gan aelod o'n tîm. Gallai aelodau'r cyhoedd wisgo un o'r wigiau ac un o'r gynau a chael tynnu eu llun hefyd er mwyn iddyn nhw gael rhywbeth bach i gofio’r diwrnod. Fel y gwnaethoch chi sôn, maen nhw'n cosi dipyn, y wigiau, maen nhw’n graflyd iawn o ran gwead, felly dwi ddim yn siŵr a wnaeth hynny eu synnu, ond yn bendant fe wnaethon nhw fwynhau'r profiad o gael gwisgo un
Liz:
Peth arall y gwnaethoch chi sôn amdano oedd pobl yn cael mynd o amgylch y celloedd a gweld sut fath o lefydd ydyn nhw. Beth oedd eich barn am ymateb y cyhoedd i hynny?
Molly:
Dwi’n meddwl yn ogystal â'r ffug dreial, roedd yr ymweliad â'r celloedd yn un o'r profiadau mwyaf pleserus i aelodau'r cyhoedd. Mae'n lle nad yw'r rhan fwyaf o bobl byth yn ei weld, felly roedd cael y gofod hwnnw wedi'i agor i'r cyhoedd yn amhrisiadwy mewn gwirionedd er mwyn iddynt allu gweld yn union sut olwg sydd arnyn nhw.
Liz:
Faint o bobl wnaeth fynychu ar y diwrnod?
Molly:
Croesawyd 1,444 o bobl ar y diwrnod ac roedden ni’n falch iawn o hynny. Nid oeddem yn disgwyl cael cymaint â hynny o bobl ac mae'r adeilad yn eithaf bach felly roedden ni’n falch iawn ein bod wedi gallu ei agor ar gyfer cymaint â hynny o bobl.
Liz:
Ond nid oes rhaid i chi gymryd ein gair ni amdano. Buom yn siarad â rhai ymwelwyr am eu profiadau o ddiwrnod agored ym mis Medi yn y Llysoedd Barn Brenhinol yn Llundain.
Alex :
Alex ydw i a dwi’n byw yn Lewisham. Mi wnes i fwynhau yn fawr. Dwi wedi cymryd rhan mewn nifer o ddigwyddiadau, mi wnes i gymryd rhan mewn ffug dreial y bore yma lle ges i gyfle i chwarae rhan y barnwr, a oedd yn ddifyr iawn. Rydyn ni hefyd wedi bod i lawr i'r celloedd ac fe ges i godi'r darian terfysg o ganol yr offer. Roedd yn dda iawn gweld beth sydd ganddyn nhw a siarad â rhai o'r gwarchodwyr yno. Fe wnes i fwynhau cerdded o gwmpas yr adeilad yn fawr iawn, mae wedi bod yn wych.
Louise:
Fy enw i yw Louise a dwi’n dod o Bromley yng Nghaint. Dwi newydd ymuno â'r ymarfer ymwisgo ac wedi'i chael hi'n hynod ddiddorol gweld y gynau gwahanol i ddeall pwy sy'n eu gwisgo ac yna mae gweld y sylw i fanylder a roddwyd i'w gwneud yn hynod ddiddorol. Mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod yn gwerthfawrogi'r broses y mae gweithwyr cyfreithiol proffesiynol yn mynd drwyddi er mwyn sicrhau bod y gyfraith yn cael ei harfer yn gywir ac mae gweld gweithrediad fel hwn, gweld y tu ôl i'r llenni a chael mynediad i'r llysoedd yn brofiad gwych.
Liz:
Fe wnaethon ni ddal i fyny gyda Marek o Lundain wrth iddo ddod allan o stafelloedd ymwisgo’r barnwyr, lle cafodd wisgo gŵn rhyfeddol o drwm.
Marek:
Ie, felly wnes i drio gŵn sidan du ac aur ac roedd hi'n ddiddorol iawn, iawn i'w gwisgo. Roedd yn drwm iawn. Gallaf ddychmygu bod y barnwyr yn bobl gryf iawn oherwydd mae'n rhaid iddyn nhw ei wisgo drwy’r dydd ac mae'n rhaid ei fod yn boeth iawn i’w wisgo hefyd. Ydy, mae'n brofiad da iawn i’w wisgo oherwydd dydych chi ddim yn cael y cyfle i wneud bob dydd. Mae'n ddiddorol iawn bod yma a dwi wedi bod yma o'r blaen tair blynedd yn ôl. Des i â fy mab heddiw er mwyn iddo weld sut mae bywyd bob dydd y llys yn gweithio.
Liz:
Gall diwrnodau agored fod yn gyfle da iawn ar gyfer recriwtio i rai llysoedd a thribiwnlysoedd. Buom hefyd yn siarad â Robert, Clerc Llywydd Adran Mainc y Brenin yn y Llysoedd Barn Brenhinol, am y diwrnod agored ac am rai cysylltiadau buddiol yr oedd wedi'u cael ag aelodau'r cyhoedd.
Robert:
Mae wedi bod yn wych. Dwi ar hyn o bryd yn recriwtio ar gyfer clercod barnwyr felly dwi’n cael siarad â chryn dipyn o aelodau'r cyhoedd ac yn ennyn rhywfaint o ddiddordeb yn y rôl, mae wedi bod yn dda iawn. Mae yna bobl sydd â diddordeb ac mae'r swydd yn rôl eithaf unigryw, felly pan maen nhw'n sylweddoli beth mae'n ei olygu i’w wneud a beth rydyn ni'n ei wneud mewn gwirionedd, mae cryn dipyn o ddiddordeb. Felly ie, dwi'n obeithiol y bydd un neu ddau.
Liz:
Jordana, o ran trefnu’r digwyddiad, roedd gennych chi wirfoddolwyr amrywiol a grwpiau a sefydliadau eraill yn cymryd rhan. Allwch chi ddweud ychydig mwy wrthym ni am bwy wnaethoch chi weithio gyda nhw er mwyn gallu cynnal y diwrnod.
Jordana:
Wel, mae gan Gaer-wynt gymuned agos iawn o bartneriaid cyfiawnder troseddol yr ydym yn eu gweld o ddydd i ddydd a dwi’n meddwl, yn deillio o’n cyfarfodydd Grŵp Defnyddwyr y Llys, ein bod wedi gallu cyflwyno’r syniad o’r diwrnod agored ac roedd pawb yn gallu cyfrannu a chymryd darnau o waith i ffwrdd hefyd.
Felly, er enghraifft, roedd y Bwrdd Cyfiawnder Troseddol lleol wedi cymryd llawer o'r gwaith hysbysebu a daeth llawer o’r rhengoedd gwirfoddolwyr yr heddlu o hynny. Roedd y gwasanaeth prawf, yn ein ffug ddedfryd, yn gallu cymryd rhan yno a dangos i aelodau'r cyhoedd beth maen nhw'n ei wneud. Roedd aelodau'r cyhoedd yn gallu gweld sut mae barnwyr yn dedfrydu oherwydd eu bod yn rhoi'r canllawiau dedfrydu ar y sgrin. Ond fe lwyddodd y gwasanaeth prawf i gyfrannu a dweud eu bod wedi ysgrifennu adroddiad cyn-dedfrydu a rhoi ychydig mwy o wybodaeth i'r barnwr am y diffynnydd oedd yn cael ei ddedfrydu.
Dwi’n meddwl bod hynny'n bwysig iawn i aelodau'r cyhoedd ei weld hefyd, oherwydd mae pob partner cyfiawnder troseddol yn tynnu ei bwysau yn y byd go iawn, yn y system cyfiawnder troseddol er mwyn cyflawni cyfiawnder. Dwi’n meddwl bod pawb yn cymryd darnau i ffwrdd, gan gyfrannu'r hyn maen nhw'n ei wneud mewn gwirionedd i ddangos i aelodau'r cyhoedd yn y diwrnod agored beth maen nhw'n ei wneud ac roedd hynny'n ddiddorol iawn. Dwi’n meddwl ei fod yn ymwneud â chyfiawnder agored a dweud y gwir, ni allwch dynnu llen ar draws y llysoedd a dweud ‘peidiwch â phoeni am yr hyn sy’n digwydd yno, mae cyfiawnder yn digwydd, peidiwch â phoeni’. Dwi’n meddwl bod angen ei weld yn digwydd hefyd. Dwi’n meddwl bod diwrnodau agored yn rhannau pwysig iawn o ddangos y gwaith sy'n mynd i mewn iddo i bobl.
Liz:
A Molly, bosib alla i wirio gyda chi hefyd ond pa fath o sefydliadau a phartneriaid y buoch chi’n gweithio gyda nhw er mwyn sefydlu eich diwrnod agored?
Molly:
Buom yn gweithio gydag asiantaethau partner troseddol amrywiol. Roedd gan Wasanaeth Erlyn y Goron stondin lle gallen nhw ddangos y gwaith y maen nhw’n ei wneud, ac roedd y gwasanaeth prawf a’r gwasanaethau tystion a rhywbeth tebyg yn yr un modd hefyd. Roedd gennym ni aelodau o'r tîm gwasanaethau a agorodd eu hystafell tystion fel y gallai aelodau'r cyhoedd weld lle mae tystion yn aros a beth sy'n digwydd i dystion pan fyddan nhw’n dod i'r llys.
Roedd gennym ni hefyd gydweithwyr eraill o feysydd eraill o fewn GLlTEF. Roedd gennym ni gydweithwyr yn y llys ynadon, cydweithwyr o’n huned orfodi a hefyd beilïaid o’n hadeilad llys sirol fel y gallent gael y cyfle i siarad ag aelodau o’r cyhoedd a rhoi gwybod iddyn nhw beth maen nhw’n ei wneud o fewn eu rolau hefyd. Felly roedd gennym ni lawer o wahanol bobl o wahanol feysydd o'r system gyfiawnder yn cymryd rhan.
Liz:
Mae'n swnio fel bod gan y digwyddiadau hyn lawer i'w gynnig i'r gymuned leol. Pa fath o fudd ydych chi'n meddwl y mae'n ei roi i bobl nad ydyn nhw efallai'n cerdded i mewn i'r llys bob dydd?
Molly:
Dwi’n meddwl ei fod yn agor yr hyn sy'n digwydd y tu ôl i ddrysau caeedig i fyny ac mae'n helpu i gael gwared ar rai o'r mythau am yr hyn sy’n digwydd. Gall pobl weld drostyn nhw eu hunain sut olwg sydd ar yr ystafelloedd, roedd gennym ni arddangosfeydd yn dangos pa fath o waith rydyn ni’n ei glywed. Fe agorodd bethau’n wirioneddol a dangosodd i'r cyhoedd beth rydyn ni’n yn ei wneud o ddydd i ddydd.
Liz:
Hoffwn ddweud diolch yn fawr iawn i Molly a Jordana am ymuno â ni heddiw. Rydych chi wir wedi ein helpu i weld pa mor fuddiol y gall diwrnodau agored fod i gymunedau lleol a sut y gall ymwelwyr wir fwynhau gweld profiad llys o ddydd i ddydd y tu ôl i'r llenni.
Molly:
Diolch yn fawr iawn am y cyfle.
Jordana:
Diolch am ein cael ni.
Liz:
Os hoffech weld a yw eich llys lleol yn cynnal diwrnod agored, ewch i'n tudalen Chwilio am Lys neu Dribiwnlys ar GOV.UK i gael rhagor o wybodaeth. Gallwch hefyd gael yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf trwy ein sianeli cyfryngau cymdeithasol @GLlTEFgovuk lle rydyn ni’n rhoi cyhoeddusrwydd rheolaidd i ddigwyddiadau sydd ar ddod. Diolch am ymuno â ni heddiw ar gyfer ein podlediad. Gobeithiwn fod y bennod yn ddiddorol ichi ac edrychwn ymlaen at siarad â chi eto’n fuan.
