HM COURT SERVICE News
Release (09/07) issued by The Government News Network on 8 November 2007
An initiative in
the fight against fear and confusion felt by witnesses of the
court process across England and Wales, has been announced by the
Courts Minister Maria Eagle, today.
Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) has developed an
interactive, multilingual and animated DVD to help witnesses and
victims understand their crucial role in the court process.
The DVD 'Going to Court: A step by step guide to being a
witness' is an easy-to-follow animation seen through the eyes
of a witness. It explains why victims and witnesses are so
important in the court process and what they will do while at
court. It has separate routes for prosecution and defence
witnesses to follow at their own pace and witnesses can also tour
a magistrates', Crown, and youth court. There is a frequently
asked questions section at the end.
Courts Minister Maria Eagle says the DVD would encourage both
victims and witnesses to give evidence by fully informing them of
what happens in court:
"We recognise that going to court can be a daunting
experience. For many witnesses the court is an unfamiliar
environment and can be quite frightening, especially for those who
have been called to give evidence for the first time. This DVD is
an important step in addressing and responding to witness and
victim anxiety."
The multilingual DVD recognises the diverse backgrounds of court
users, and can be viewed in English (with subtitles), Welsh (with
subtitles), Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu,
Punjabi and British Sign Language all on one disc.
Sir Ron De Witt, HMCS Chief Executive says the initiative is much
needed by victims and witnesses:
"Going to Court goes a long way to demystify the court
process in a clear and helpful way, and promotes confidence among
those having to attend court. Better informed witnesses will mean
more confident witnesses."
The DVD was successfully piloted last year in Nottingham and
Leicester, and developed in conjunction with a number of criminal
justice partner agencies including the Victim Support/Witness
Service who fully support the initiative. An evaluation of the
pilot found that most people who saw the DVD felt more confident
in going to court, and more than half would encourage others to
attend court as witnesses.
HMCS have initially distributed around 200,000 copies of the
Going to Court DVD nation wide, to Witness Care Units and defence
solicitors and the court based Witness Service in England and Wales.
The animation can also be viewed online at http://www.directgov.uk/goingtocourtvideo
where it will be available in the same languages as the DVD but
also including Polish.
Those witnesses who do not have access to a DVD player at home or
elsewhere, will be able to watch the DVD in a witness waiting room
at each Crown or magistrates' court.
NOTES
1. Her Majesty's Courts Service is an executive agency of
the Ministry of Justice. Our remit is to deliver justice
effectively and efficiently to the public. We are responsible for
managing the magistrates' courts, the Crown Court, county
courts, the High Court and Court of Appeal in England and Wales.
2. Copies of the DVD are available from the Witness Service based
at local (criminal) courts, defence lawyers or Witness Care Units.
http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk