Witnesses

Witness evidence at trial

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Witness Evidence, Questioning, Protection and Support

The evidence of witnesses lies at the heart of the criminal justice system. Presenting evidence before the court at trial is done by both the prosecution and defence in three ways:

Calling and questioning witnesses;
Reading witness statements (usually where the other side agree with the contents of the statement);
Both the prosecution and defence agreeing the evidence and then writing that evidence down in a document as an agreed fact (admitted facts).

There are a range of measures to assist witnesses to give evidence in criminal cases, including Special Measures, Witness Anonymity Orders, reporting restrictions, restrictions on cross-examination, criminal offences of Witness Interference and Taking Revenge, and Witness Protection Programmes.

Below you will find details of the suite of guides and resources available on this website to help you.

Click on the tiles below for more.