Vulnerable Witnesses

A new, simplified procedure for notifying courts of the intention to use standard special measures when certain vulnerable witnesses are giving evidence comes into force today. In criminal cases where an indictment or complaint is served on or after this date, parties citing a vulnerable witness wil

New legislation ensuring that any child witness in the most serious criminal cases will have their evidence pre-recorded comes into force today. The change, which will apply to certain cases in the High Court, will spare under 18s from having to give evidence during a trial.

Members of the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee are set to visit new evidence-taking facilities as the Vulnerable Witnesses Act comes into force today. The new suite, which opened towards the end of last year, aims to provide a less daunting setting than a court for vulnerable witnesses

Criminal law advocates are readying themselves for a major change in procedure which will come into effect in the New Year. Commencement Regulations have been laid before Parliament to introduce provisions of the Vulnerable Witnesses (Criminal Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2019 from 20 January.