Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Jessica Morden (Labour). It was answered on Tuesday, 11 July 2006 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Court Facilities

Question: One of the successes of the domestic violence court pilots was that better facilities for witnesses and victims improved people’s experience of the system. Will my right hon. and learned Friend elaborate on any plans that the Department might have to roll the provision out further and to invest in more facilities throughout the court system?

Answer: My hon. Friend makes an important point. In the past, no one was surprised that many domestic violence cases did not stay the course. Abused wives and girlfriends did not give evidence because that meant that they had to sit in the court waiting area, opposite the defendant and all his friends and relatives. The introduction of proper facilities for victims and witnesses is long overdue, especially as they are often intimidated. We are therefore planning to roll out the provision across England and Wales.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 448 c1252
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Courts Administration of justice Buildings Evidence Facilities Witnesses Victims
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk