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<p>We must do everything we can to support vulnerable witnesses and help them give
their best possible evidence. In December 2013, a pilot commenced of section 28 of
Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, a special measures provision allowing
the Cross Examination of eligible witnesses' evidence to be recorded in advance of
the trial. This pilot is taking place in the Crown Court sitting at Liverpool, Leeds
and Kingston-upon Thames. This is in addition to a range of measures already in place
to help reduce the anxiety of attending court, such as giving evidence from behind
a screen.</p><p> </p><p>Video recording of initial evidence known as ABE (Achieving
Best Evidence) is appropriate for some child witnesses; this is undertaken by the
Police and can be played at trial.</p><p> </p><p>HMCTS does not collate data on the
number of witnesses who give evidence either via live links or other pre- recorded
video.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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