Thread by @MoJGovUK

From today, another 28 Crown Courts will have the technology to allow vulnerable witnesses and victims to pre-record their cross-examination before trial.

All Crown Courts will be able to provide this special measure by the end of the year.

Here’s how it works [1/5]

[2/5] The judge decides on a case-by-case basis whether to pre-record the cross examination. This decision will be made if a witness or victim is considered vulnerable, for example a child or someone with a physical disability or mental disorder.

[3/5] When the pre-recorded cross-examination takes place at an earlier date to the trial, it’s done as close to the time of the offence as possible to help memory recall and support the vulnerable witness or victim to give their best evidence.

[4/5] The vulnerable witness or victim is taken to a safe separate room from where they can answer questions for the cross-examination.

The judge, defendant, defence and prosecution are in the courtroom, just like in a traditional cross-examination.

[5/5] The recording of the cross-examination is kept and played at the later trial.

Pre-recording cross examination preserves a defendant's right to a fair trial and reduces stress for the vulnerable witness or victim giving evidence to a full courtroom at trial.