Call for sensitivity, not silence, in courts

Judges have been encouraged to use politically correct terms to
describe people in courts in the latest guidelines from the
Judicial Studies Board.

“Owing to increasing sensitivity in our diverse society we cannot
underestimate the importance of using the correct terms,” the
guidance states.

It reminds judges that disabled people or people from ethnic
minorities should always be described as people rather than just
“disabled” or “black”. Judges are also told that describing all
people from ethnic minorities as “immigrants” is inaccurate, likely
to cause offence, and should be avoided. It also spells out the
difference between an asylum seeker and refugee.

Lord chief justice Lord Woolf welcomed the guidelines and urged his
colleagues to refresh themselves with the guidance before going
into court.