Witness Intermediaries
Sometimes people's evidence is not included in trials, because they are not able to say what has happened.
It is important that everybody who is a victim or a witness of a crime gets to have their say, so that the outcome will be fair.
The Witness Intermediary Scheme was set up to help certain victims or witnesses who need help with communication.
These include:
* people with Alzheimer's;
* people with learning disabilities;
* people with mental health problems;
* people with autism;
* stroke sufferers
* children under the age of 17
What is an Intermediary?
An Intermediary is someone who tells the witness the questions that the court, the defence and the prosecution teams ask.
They also tell the court, the defence and the prosecution team the answers that the witness gives to those questions.
They can also help in the investigation stage, when the witness talks to the police.
An Intermediary is always someone who has special permission, and who has been specially trained, to do this.
An Intermediary can make the difference between you getting your evidence heard in court or not.
The Witness Intermediary Scheme does not include people whose first language is not English.
These people can receive help from Court Interpreters.