Taking Child Witnesses Out of the Crown Court: A Live Link Initiative

Abstract

This article describes an innovative project in England whereby child witnesses gave evidence via a video link from a building away from the court complex. The research indicates that this was seen as an effective method for children to give their evidence; removing most of the negative issues relating to giving evidence either in person from the court room, or from a live video link from a room routinely located within the court complex. This arrangement was seen to encourage children to give evidence in the first instance; to improve its quality; and to soften the traditional adversarial nature of the criminal justice system. Professionals in the Crown Court have accepted live video link technology as part of their work role and although the children concerned, and their parents, were not so positive they also considered it to be a very good way for them to give evidence.