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<p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is committed to improving the ‘at court’ experience
for all witnesses. The CPS works closely with the police and the voluntary sector
to ensure that vulnerable witnesses such as children and people with learning disabilities
are well supported through the Criminal Justice System.</p><p>Special measures such
as the use of intermediaries, using screens at court and video live links help vulnerable
witnesses, including children and people with learning difficulties, to give their
best evidence. Recently, the CPS assisted the MoJ in recruiting an additional 105
intermediaries, who play a vital role in facilitating coherent conversations during
police interviews and at court. The use of pre-recorded cross-examination has also
been successfully piloted and the Lord Chancellor has committed publically to a national
roll-out.</p><p>In September, following public consultation, the Director of Public
Prosecutions announced the launch of new guidance for prosecutors entitled ‘Speaking
to Witnesses at Court’. The aim of this guidance is to set out the role played by
prosecutors at or before court in ensuring that witnesses give their best evidence.
This will benefit all prosecution witnesses and will help them understand what to
expect. These enhanced arrangements will be piloted over the coming months and will
be rolled out nationally during 2016.</p>
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