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<p /> <p>This Government is committed to ensuring vulnerable victims and witnesses
have access to high quality, effective and timely support.</p><p> </p><p>The value
of pre-trial ground rules is increasingly being recognised and closely links with
measures that my Department is implementing to improve the experience of victims and
witnesses. These include giving greater opportunity to give evidence away from the
court room and, subject to evaluation of the pilot, roll-out of recorded pre-trial
cross-examination.</p><p> </p><p>In reviewing how to reduce the distress experienced
by vulnerable victims and witnesses in sexual violence cases tried in the Crown Court,
we identified that the scope and use of Ground Rules Hearings could be widened.</p><p>
</p><p>The Criminal Procedure Rule Committee has agreed amendments to the criminal
procedure rules which will encourage use of ground rules to facilitate participation
of witnesses (including defendants) in trials. These changes take effect from 6 April
2015. The rules will provide that directions can be given for the appropriate treatment
and questioning of a witness, especially where the court directs that such questioning
is to be conducted through an intermediary, and list things the court should do where
directions for appropriate treatment and questioning are required.</p>
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