Legalize
Legalize / United Kingdom / Scotland / Act of the Scottish Parliament

Vulnerable Witnesses (Criminal Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2019

Type Act of the Scottish Parliament
Publication 2019-06-13
State In force
Jurisdiction Scotland
Department Statute Law Database
Source legislation.gov.uk
Reform history JSON API

Child witnesses

Child witnesses in certain solemn cases

1

(271BZA) (1) This section applies where a child witness, other than the accused, is to give evidence at, or for the purposes of, a hearing in relevant criminal proceedings which are— (a) solemn proceedings, and (b) in respect of an offence listed in subsection (2). (2) The offences are— (a) murder, (b) culpable homicide, (c) assault to the danger of life, (d) abduction, (e) plagium, (f) a sexual offence to which section 288C applies, (g) an offence under section 1(1) of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, (h) an offence that is aggravated as described in section 1(1)(a) of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016, (i) an offence that would have fallen within paragraph (h) if section 1 of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016 had been in force when the offence was allegedly committed, (j) an offence of human trafficking (see section 1 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015), (k) an offence under section 4 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour), (l) an offence under section 1 of the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005 (offence of female genital mutilation), (m) an offence under section 3 of the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005 (aiding and abetting female genital mutilation), (n) an attempt to commit an offence mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (m). (3) The court must enable all of the child witness's evidence to be given in advance of the hearing unless the court is satisfied that an exception is justified under subsection (7) or (8). (4) For the purposes of this section, the court enables all of the child witness's evidence to be given in advance of the hearing if— (a) the court makes an order under section 271A which satisfies the following requirements— (i) it authorises the use of one or both of the special measures listed in subsection (5) for the purpose of taking all of the child witness's evidence, (ii) it does not authorise the use of an incompatible special measure for the purpose of taking any of the child witness's evidence, and (iii) it does not authorise the giving of any of the child witness's evidence without the benefit of any special measure, and (b) the court, if it commences a review under section 271D before the hearing has commenced, does not make an order under that section which— (i) revokes the order made under section 271A, or (ii) varies it in such a way that it no longer satisfies the requirements set out in paragraph (a)(i), (ii) and (iii). (5) The special measures mentioned in subsection (4)(a)(i) are— (a) taking of evidence by a commissioner in accordance with section 271I, (b) giving evidence in chief in the form of a prior statement in accordance with section 271M. (6) In this section, “incompatible special measure” means a special measure which is capable of being used only if the child witness gives evidence at the hearing (whether or not its use would require the child witness to be present in the courtroom). (7) An exception is justified if— (a) the giving of all of the child witness's evidence in advance of the hearing would give rise to a significant risk of prejudice to the fairness of the hearing or otherwise to the interests of justice, and (b) that risk significantly outweighs any risk of prejudice to the interests of the child witness if the child witness were to give evidence at the hearing. (8) An exception is justified if— (a) the child witness is aged 12 or over on the date of commencement of the proceedings in which the hearing is being or is to be held, (b) the child witness expresses a wish to give evidence at the hearing, and (c) it would be in the child witness's best interests to give evidence at the hearing. (9) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations— (a) modify subsection (2), (b) remove the condition set out in subsection (1)(b) and the list of offences in subsection (2). (10) Regulations under subsection (9) are subject to the affirmative procedure. (271BZB) (1) In a case to which section 271BZA applies, section 271A applies with the following modifications. (2) References to a standard special measure are to be read as references to any of the following special measures (and subsection (14) is to be read accordingly)— (a) taking of evidence by a commissioner in accordance with section 271I, (b) use of a supporter in accordance with section 271L, (c) giving evidence in chief in the form of a prior statement in accordance with section 271M. (3) Section 271A(2) has effect as if— (a) the words “Subject to section 271AA,” were omitted, (b) the words “or a deemed vulnerable witness” were omitted. (4) Section 271A has effect as if the following subsection were inserted after subsection (2)— (2A) A vulnerable witness notice must— (a) state that section 271BZA applies, and (b) explain why the party considers that an exception is justified under section 271BZA(7) or (8) if the notice— (i) does not specify one or both of the special measures listed in section 271BZA(5) for the purpose of taking all of the child witness's evidence, (ii) specifies an incompatible special measure (as defined in section 271BZA(6)) for the purpose of taking any of the child witness's evidence, or (iii) states that the party considers that the child witness should give any of the child witness's evidence without the benefit of any special measure. (5) Section 271A has effect as if the following subsections were inserted after subsection (10)— (10A) Subsections (5), (9) and (10) are subject to subsections (10B) to (10F). (10B) Where the court is considering a notice in accordance with subsection (5) and the notice does not specify one or both of the special measures mentioned in section 271BZA(5) for the purpose of taking all of the child witness's evidence, the court may nonetheless make an order which has the effect of authorising the use of one or both of those special measures for that purpose. (10C) Unless the court is satisfied that an exception is justified under section 271BZA(7) or (8), an order made by the court under this section— (a) must authorise the use of one or more of the special measures mentioned in section 271BZA(5) for the purpose of taking all of the child witness's evidence, (b) must not authorise the use of an incompatible special measure (as defined in section 271BZA(6)) for the purpose of taking any of the child witness's evidence, and (c) must not authorise the giving of any of the child witness's evidence without the benefit of any special measure. (10D) Even if the court is satisfied that an exception is justified under section 271BZA(7) or (8), an order made by the court under this section must not have the effect of requiring the child witness to be present in the courtroom to give evidence unless the court is satisfied that subsection (10E) or (10F) applies. (10E) This subsection applies if— (a) the giving of evidence by the child witness in some way other than by being present in the courtroom for that purpose would give rise to a significant risk of prejudice to the fairness of the hearing or otherwise to the interests of justice, and (b) that risk significantly outweighs any risk of prejudice to the interests of the child witness if the child witness were to be present in the courtroom to give evidence. (10F) This subsection applies if— (a) the child witness is aged 12 or over on the date of commencement of the proceedings in which the hearing is being held or is to be held, (b) the child witness expresses a wish to be present in the courtroom to give evidence, and (c) it would be in the child witness's best interests to be present in the courtroom to give evidence. (271BZC) (1) In a case to which section 271BZA applies, section 271D applies with the following modifications. (2) Section 271D has effect as if— (a) subsections (3A) to (3C) were omitted, (b) subsection (4A) were omitted, and (c) the following subsections were inserted after subsection (4A)— (4B) Subsections (2) to (4) are subject to subsections (4C) to (4H). (4C) Unless the hearing has already commenced when the court commences its review or the court is satisfied that an exception is justified under section 271BZA(7) or (8), an order made by the court under this section must not— (a) revoke the earlier order, or (b) vary it in such a way that it no longer satisfies the requirements set out in section 271BZA(4)(a)(i), (ii) and (iii). (4D) An order made by the court under this section must have the effect of authorising the use of the special measure of taking of evidence by a commissioner in accordance with section 271I if— (a) that is requested by any party to the proceedings, and (b) the earlier order authorises only the special measure of giving evidence in chief in the form of a prior statement in accordance with section 271M. (4E) However, an order made by the court under this section need not have the effect described in subsection (4D) if— (a) the hearing has already commenced when the court commences its review, or (b) the court is satisfied that an exception is justified under section 271BZA(7) or (8). (4F) Even if the hearing has already commenced when the court commences its review or the court is satisfied that an exception is justified under section 271BZA(7) or (8), an order made under this section must not have the effect of requiring the child witness to be present in the courtroom to give evidence unless the court is satisfied that subsection (4G) or (4H) applies. (4G) This subsection applies if— (a) the giving of evidence by the child witness in some way other than by being present in the courtroom for that purpose would give rise to a significant risk of prejudice to the fairness of the hearing or otherwise to the interests of justice, and (b) that risk significantly outweighs any risk of prejudice to the interests of the child witness if the child witness were to be present in the courtroom to give evidence. (4H) This subsection applies if— (a) the child witness is aged 12 or over on the date of commencement of the proceedings in which the hearing is being held or is to be held, (b) the child witness expresses a wish to be present in the courtroom to give evidence, and (c) it would be in the child witness's best interests to be present in the courtroom to give evidence.

.

Child witnesses under the age of 12

2

(4A) Where the court is required to make an order having the effect mentioned in subsection (4), an order made by the court under section 271A(5)(a) may authorise the use of a special measure or measures other than those specified in the vulnerable witness notice if that would result in the order having the effect mentioned in subsection (4).

,

(7) This section does not apply in a case to which section 271BZA applies.

.

Deemed vulnerable witnesses

Deemed vulnerable witnesses in certain solemn cases

3

(271BZD) (1) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations extend the application of section 271BZA so that it also applies where a deemed vulnerable witness who is not a child witness is to give evidence at, or for the purposes of, a hearing in relevant criminal proceedings which are solemn proceedings. (2) Regulations under subsection (1) may, in particular— (a) make different provision for different descriptions of deemed vulnerable witness, including, in particular, provision to extend the application of section 271BZA only in cases involving specified descriptions of deemed vulnerable witness, (b) make such provision as the Scottish Ministers consider necessary or expedient in connection with the extension of the application of section 271BZA, including, in particular, provision to apply section 271BZA subject to specified modifications, (c) make different provision for different courts or descriptions of court, (d) make different provision for other different purposes, (e) make such incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional, transitory or saving provision as the Scottish Ministers consider necessary or expedient, (f) modify any enactment (including this Act). (3) In this section— - “specified” means specified in the regulations, - “descriptions of deemed vulnerable witness” may include, in particular, descriptions relating to the specific offences or types of offences that are alleged to have been committed against the deemed vulnerable witness. (4) Regulations under subsection (1) are subject to the affirmative procedure.

.

Review of arrangements for taking evidence

Review of arrangements for vulnerable witnesses

4

(3A) If an earlier order has the effect of enabling all of the witness's evidence to be given in advance of the hearing, the court may not make an order under subsection (2)(a) varying the earlier order in such a way that it no longer has that effect. (3B) However, the court may vary the earlier order in the way mentioned in subsection (3A) if the hearing has already commenced when the court commences its review or if the court is satisfied— (a) where the witness has expressed a wish to give evidence at the hearing, that it is appropriate for the witness to do so, or (b) in any other case, that— (i) if the court does not vary the earlier order in that way, there would be a significant risk of prejudice to the fairness of the hearing or otherwise to the interests of justice, and (ii) that risk significantly outweighs any risk of prejudice to the interests of the witness if the court were not to vary the earlier order in that way. (3C) For the purposes of this section, an order has the effect of enabling all of the witness's evidence to be given in advance of the hearing if— (a) it authorises the use of one or both of these special measures for the purpose of taking all of the witness's evidence— (i) taking of evidence by a commissioner in accordance with section 271I, (ii) giving evidence in chief in the form of a prior statement in accordance with section 271M, (b) it does not authorise the use of a special measure which is capable of being used only if the witness gives evidence at the hearing (whether or not its use would require the witness to be present in the courtroom), and (c) it does not authorise the giving of any of the witness's evidence without the benefit of any special measure.

.

Taking evidence by commissioner

Taking evidence by commissioner

5

(1ZA) A court which appoints a commissioner under subsection (1) must— (a) fix a date for the proceedings before the commissioner, and (b) fix a date for a hearing (to be known as a “ground rules hearing”) for the purpose of preparing for the proceedings. (1ZB) The ground rules hearing is to be presided over by— (a) a judge of the court which appointed the commissioner if— (i) the court directs that the ground rules hearing be conjoined with another hearing or diet that is to be held before the date of the proceedings to which the ground rules hearing relates and that hearing or diet is presided over by a judge, or (ii) it is not reasonably practicable for the ground rules hearing to be presided over by the commissioner appointed to preside over the proceedings to which the ground rules hearing relates, or (b) in any other case, the commissioner appointed to preside over the proceedings to which the ground rules hearing relates. (1ZC) In cases where a judge presides over a ground rules hearing in accordance with subsection (1ZB)(a), references to the commissioner in subsection (1ZD) are to be read as references to the judge. (1ZD) The commissioner presiding over a ground rules hearing must— (a) ascertain the length of time the parties expect to take for examination-in-chief and cross-examination, including any breaks that may be required, (b) to the extent that the commissioner considers it appropriate to do so, decide on the form and wording of the questions that are to be asked of the vulnerable witness, (c) if the commissioner considers it appropriate to do so, authorise the use of a supporter at the proceedings, in accordance with section 271L, (d) if the commissioner considers that there are steps that could reasonably be taken to enable the vulnerable witness to participate more effectively in the proceedings, direct that those steps be taken, (e) subject to section 72(8) which applies in relation to the commissioner as it applies in relation to the court, dispose of any application that— (i) has been made under section 275(1) or 288F(2), and (ii) has not yet been disposed of by the court, (f) consider whether the proceedings should take place on the date fixed by the court and postpone the proceedings if the commissioner considers that it is in the interests of justice to do so having regard to all the circumstances, including— (i) whether the parties are likely to be ready for the proceedings to take place on the date fixed by the court and if not, the reasons for that, (ii) any views expressed by the parties on whether the proceedings should be postponed, and (iii) whether postponement is in the interests of the vulnerable witness, and (g) consider and, if appropriate, make a decision on, any other matter that the commissioner considers could be usefully dealt with before the proceedings take place.

.

Reading this document does not replace reading the official text published on legislation.gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies arising from the conversion of the original CLML XML to this format.