Children spared court ordeal under new law

Children will be spared the ordeal of giving evidence in court under new legislation introduced at Holyrood.

The Scottish Government’s proposed Vulnerable Witnesses Bill will create a rule that the evidence of witnesses under the age of 18 should be pre-recorded in the most serious criminal trials.

Further provisions would allow this to be extended to vulnerable adult witnesses such as victims of sexual offences or domestic abuse. The legislation, if passed, would also make it easier for vulnerable witnesses to request other measures such as giving evidence via a television link.

“This reform must focus in the first instance on children”

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “This bill is an important step forward, which will mean far fewer vulnerable witness- es have to give evidence in court during criminal trials.

“As young witnesses often need extra support, we have previously made clear that this reform must focus in the first instance on children.

“This represents a significant change to the law and practice, which justice organisations will need to implement in a managed way in order to achieve our aim of ensuring witnesses can give their best evidence, while protecting the rights of the accused.