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<p>I am pleased that the Lord Chancellor has recently approved national rollout plans
for pre-recorded cross examination, for Section 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal
Evidence Act 1999, for vulnerable witnesses in Crown Court centres in England and
Wales.</p><p> </p><p>This plan includes a focus on rolling out Section 28 to London
and the South East in the first wave in August, followed by all remaining Crown Courts
in England in Wales in the autumn. This is a crucial step to support vulnerable victims
and witnesses to give their best evidence.</p><p> </p><p>HMCTS’s intention has always
been to complete a national rollout of this service to all Crown Courts by the end
of this year and there is extra benefit in having this service available to support
more victims and witnesses in light of COVID-19.</p>
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