MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
News Release (No:085/07) issued by The Government News Network on 22
June 2007
Introducing
greater choice on how young people give evidence in court is among
proposals published today that place victims and witnesses at the
heart of the Criminal Justice System.
Giving evidence in court can be a daunting task for children and
young people, particularly when it is against people they know,
including family members. A third of witnesses would not have been
able or willing to give evidence if special measures were not
available to help them through the process.
The Government is committed to improving the criminal justice
process for victims and witnesses by building on existing
initiatives that make young witnesses feel more comfortable giving
evidence in court including: Witness Care Units, the
Intermediaries scheme and the Code of Practice for Victims of
Crime that ensure their needs are identified and met.
Measures being considered include the use of video recorded
pre-trial cross-examination for a small number of the most
vulnerable young witnesses; enhanced use of technology such as
remote live links and concealing the visual image of some children
to protect them whilst they give evidence.
Other measures in the consultation are;
- Greater choice for young witnesses in how they give evidence
(not assuming they would always prefer to give evidence away from
the court room);
- Guidance on pre-trial therapy and counselling;
- Special procedures for vulnerable defendants to ensure they can
participate effectively in their trials, including the use of intermediaries
- Delay in proceedings;
- Standards of cross-examination and other matters relating to
current practice including the early identification of witness needs;
- Enhancement of the current special measures provisions to
address witness concerns.
Launching the consultation today, Justice Minister Gerry
Sutcliffe said;
"Giving evidence in court can be an onerous undertaking for
many children and young people which is why we are determined to
give young victims and witnesses the support and access to justice
that they need.
We need to listen to young people and find out their opinions as
to what will improve the criminal justice process for them. This
consultation builds on the work we have already delivered to
ensure young and vulnerable witnesses feel able to give their best
evidence in an environment that is comfortable to them."
Notes to Editors
1. The consultation paper, 'Improving the Criminal Trial
process for Young Witnesses', is available at http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease220607a.htm
2. Hamlyn, Phelps, Turtle and Sattar, Are special measures
working? Evidence from surveys of vulnerable and intimidated
witnesses (London: Home Office Research Study No 283 (June 2004)
available at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs04/hors283.pdf)
3. The national roll-out of intermediaries scheme was announced
Thursday 14 June. Link to the press notice available at http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease120607b.htm
http://www.justice.gov.uk