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Dept for Constitutional Affairs

Answer

Vera Baird: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps the Department has taken to publicise the availability of special measures for witnesses in the criminal courts. [203874] Mr. Leslie: My Department works closely with the other Criminal Justice Departments to ensure that the availability of special measures is publicised. Prior to attending court the Witness in Court leaflet should be sent to every prosecution witnesses, with the witness warning letter. This leaflet includes information about the availability of special measures. The Witness Walkthrough on CJS Online also has information about special measures. In addition, Home Office circulars provide information to practitioners about special measures. Technical guidance has also been issued to the judiciary as to the way the legislation should operate on special measures and the Judicial Studies Board provides training seminars for the judiciary in which special measures are covered extensively. In each Crown court centre there is a Witness Liaison Officer, who has received training for dealing with vulnerable and intimidated witnesses and the use of special measures. It is planned to extend the use of Witness Liaison Officers to all magistrates courts by spring 2005. The `No Witness, No Justice' programme, which is currently being rolled out nationally, introduces dedicated Witness Care Units bringing police and the CPS together for the first time to jointly meet the individual needs of victims and witnesses. They provide a range of services, including, following charge, an initial needs assessment to identify those witnesses who would qualify for special measures, and continuous review of victim and witness needs throughout the case. My Department has also worked with the General Council of the Bar, the NSPCC and other criminal justice agencies to produce a video "A Case for Special Measures" which is aimed primarily at the legal professions.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

203874; 428 c877W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Criminal proceedings Courts Crown Court Judiciary Information Intimidation Leaflets Protection Publicity Training Witnesses

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk