Check if you can get special measures in court

Summary

If you’re under 18 you’re automatically a ‘vulnerable witness’ - find out more about going to court as a witness if you’re under 18. The court might also decide you’re a vulnerable witness if you might struggle when you give evidence because of: * a mental or physical disability or condition The court might decide you’re an ‘intimidated witness’ if you think you’ll struggle when you give evidence because you’ll feel very scared or upset. When the court decides whether you’re an intimidated witness, it will look at your situation and the type of crime you witnessed. For example, it will look at whether: * you’ve experienced a sexual offence or domestic abuse * you witnessed a crime involving a gun or knife * you’re being intimidated by someone because of the trial There are different types of special measures that might help, depending on your situation. For example, the court can: * put up screens in court - this means you can’t see the defendant and they can’t see you * let you give evidence by video link from a different room * video record some or all of your evidence before the trial * tell the public to leave the courtroom so you can give evidence in private * make sure.

Key information

• •a mental or physical disability or condition
• •you’ve experienced a sexual offence or domestic abuse
• •you witnessed a crime involving a gun or knife
• •you’re being intimidated by someone because of the trial
• •put up screens in court - this means you can’t see the defendant and they can’t see you
• •let you give evidence by video link from a different room
• •video record some or all of your evidence before the trial
• •tell the public to leave the courtroom so you can give evidence in private
• •make sure someone is there to help you communicate with the court - this person is called an ‘intermediary’
• •ask lawyers and judges to take off their wigs and gowns so the court feels less formal
• •visit a court to work out which special measures might help you give evidence
• •practise using some of the equipment - for example, you could try using a video link or a screen

Practical guidance

• •Source: [Check if you can get special measures in court](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/legal-system/going-to-court-as-a-witness1/get-help-and-support-being-a-witness/check-if-you-can-get-special-measures-in-court/)

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