The Witness Charter

Standards of care for witnesses in the

Criminal Justice System

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 THE WITNESS CHARTER

About this charter

The Witness Charter has been developed to tell you how, as a witness, you can expect to be treated by the
police if you are a witness to a crime or incident. It also covers subsequent standards of care for other criminal
justice agencies and lawyers if you are asked to give evidence for the prosecution, or defence, in a criminal court.
The charter sets out what help and support you can expect to receive at every stage of the process from all the
agencies and lawyers involved, although it does not cover the work of judges and magistrates.

The standards of service set out in the Witness Charter apply to all witnesses, regardless of whether you may also
be the victim of the crime. If you are also the victim, you have rights which are set out in the Code of Practice for
Victims of Crime. Unlike the Code, the Witness Charter is not set out in law, and there may be constraints which
affect the ability of the various agencies to provide the service. For example, although the care of witnesses is
important to them, the principal duty of defence lawyers is to represent and attend to the needs of their client.
Agencies and lawyers will seek to comply with the standards, insofar as is practicable and their professional
rules allow.

Being a witness
As a witness in an investigation, which may lead to a criminal court case, you are helping to ensure that justice is
done and that society is made safer for yourself, your family and friends and the community in which you live. The
part you play is crucial to the wider effort to tackle crime and poor behaviour and to build a culture of respect.
When you give evidence as a witness, you are directly contributing to building a safe and strong community. Family
members and friends who accompany a witness to court, helping to make them feel more comfortable about
giving evidence, are also contributing to this important role.

If a suspected offender is identified, and the case proceeds to a criminal court, you may be asked to give evidence
for the prosecution or defence in court if you know:

• something about a particular crime, incident or dispute; or

• or one of the people involved in a case (you may be asked to be a character witness).

In either event, your evidence can be crucial to securing the conviction of the guilty or the acquittal of the
innocent.

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OUR STANDARDS OF CARE

1: Ensuring fair treatment

As a witness you will be treated fairly and with respect according to your needs irrespective of race, religion,
background, gender, age, sexuality or any disability.

2: Reporting a crime or incident

The police will ensure that the details of how to contact them and the arrangements for how to report a crime or
other incident are widely publicised. If you report a crime or other incident, the police will:

• ensure that they properly understand what you are telling them;
• ensure that you fully understand any information they give you;
• explain how they are going to deal with the matter;
• provide you with an indication as to how long this will take; and
• provide you with a reference or crime number and a contact for further enquiries.

3: Initial needs assessment by the police

If you provide a statement to the police, this will include an initial assessment of your needs as a witness. The initial
needs assessment will cover:

• what your preferred means of contact is, and when you can most easily be reached;
• what language and communication needs you may have as a witness;
• what other needs you may have, including any help you may need to give evidence in court; and
• what dates you are unavailable to attend court.

This information will be used to decide how the investigation of the case will proceed, and to ensure that
arrangements are made to meet your needs if you are called to give evidence in court. It will be passed to a
Witness Care Unit if you are to be a witness for the prosecution and to the defence lawyer if you are to be called
as a witness for the defence.

4: Initial identification as a vulnerable or intimidated witness

If you are a prosecution witness, the police will initially identify whether you may be a vulnerable or intimidated
witness and will seek your views on measures that might help you. If you are a defence witness, the defence lawyer
will seek to provide you with as much assistance as their professional rules allow.

This includes measures to help you give your best evidence in court, such as the use of a live TV link or a screen
around the witness box. It may also include the use of an intermediary if you are a vulnerable witness with a
communication difficulty. It is ultimately for the court to decide whether such measures can be allowed.

5: Making a statement
After you have been in contact with the police, the investigating officer will decide whether to ask you to provide
a statement. Making a statement is voluntary although you may still be asked to give evidence if you do not make
one. If you do agree to make a statement, practical arrangements will be made for it to be taken as soon as
possible. This may be in your home, at a police station, or at another place of your choice.

If you are identified as a potential defence witness, you may be asked to make a statement to the defendant’s
lawyer. In certain circumstances, the police may also ask you to make a statement.

The police and the defence lawyer will seek to arrange an interpreter for you if necessary.

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 Before you make your statement, the person taking it will explain the purpose of the statement, consider what
help you may need to make it and explain what will happen next. If you provide a statement, you may be required
to give evidence at court for either the prosecution or defence.

When you make a written statement, the person taking it will:

• ensure that they understand what you are telling them and that this is accurately recorded;
• allow you to read through the statement once completed to check that it is an accurate record, or ask
someone else to read it back to you;
• change any inaccuracies you point out in the statement;
• add any further information you want included; and
• ask you to sign your statement to confirm that you agree with what has been recorded.

All child witnesses, and some other witnesses, are able to make a statement in the form of a video-recorded
interview. In such cases, the person taking it will ensure that the recording is of sufficient quality for it to be used
in court as evidence if necessary.You may still be required to attend court for the purposes of cross-examination.

6: After a statement is given

After giving your statement, the police will give you a contact telephone number and a leaflet explaining what will
happen next. The police will ask if you would like to be referred to the Witness Service for further support should
the case progress to court.

If you have given a statement to a defence lawyer or their agent, they will inform you of what will happen should
the case progress to court and may also refer you to the Witness Service unless you instruct them otherwise.

Once you have signed your statement the content cannot be changed. However, if you do need to alter or add
anything at a later date you can make a further statement.

Unless it is relevant to the case, your address or other personal details - which might lead to the identification of
your address - will only be shared with criminal justice agencies and relevant support organisations.You will be
asked for your consent for this information to be shared unless it is a legal requirement.

If you are a defence witness your personal details have to be shared with the defendant, but they will only be
shared more widely with your consent.

If your case does proceed to court, you will be given the opportunity to refresh your memory of what you said in
your statement or video-recorded interview.

7: Being kept updated on progress during the investigation of a serious criminal offence
If you have made a statement to the police as part of an investigation of a serious criminal offence and the police
have told you that you are likely to be called to give evidence in court, they will seek to update you at least once
a month on the progress of the case. This should continue until the investigation closes, or the point at which
someone is charged, summonsed or dealt with out of court.

If the investigation is still ongoing after six months, the police will seek to agree with you the frequency of future
updates. You can choose to opt out of receiving an update on progress should you want to do so at any stage.

If you have been told that you are not likely to be called to give evidence in court, or you have not made a
statement as part of an investigation of a serious criminal offence, the police may not regularly update you but they
will seek to provide you with a means of contact so that you can find out what stage the investigation has reached.

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8: Action on intimidation
The police will seek to identify if you are being intimidated or are at risk of intimidation. If you think that you are
at risk of intimidation, you should bring this to the attention of the officer in the investigation and they will provide
you with advice, or refer you to an appropriate agency that can assist. The police will provide you with details on
how you can contact them.

It is a specific offence to intimidate a witness before and during a trial, and up to a year after a trial is finished. If
you believe you have been the subject of intimidation as a result of your involvement in the case then you may be a
victim of a criminal offence.You should bring this to the attention of the police immediately who will carry out an
investigation and take any appropriate action, including the consideration of measures to ensure your safety.
If you are a prosecution witness who has suffered or is at risk of intimidation:

• t he police will inform the prosecution if you have concerns about the grant of bail or if the defendant has
a history of witness intimidation; and
• the charging prosecutor will consider what additional needs you have at the time the defendant is charged
and throughout the period up to trial.

If you are a defence witness, the defence lawyer will report any actual or feared intimidation to the police,
providing this does not conflict with their professional rules. In those circumstances you should contact the police.

You should always dial 999 if you think you are in immediate danger.

9: Being kept updated on progress after charge

If you are a prosecution witness to any offence, the police will inform you:

• when the defendant has been charged;

• whether the defendant has been released on bail to attend court, or held in custody until the first court
appearance; and
• what relevant bail conditions apply.

Your Witness Care Unit will keep you fully informed of the progress of your case following the first court
appearance. As a witness, you will be given the name of an individual Witness Care Officer who will be your single
point of contact for all enquiries or concerns that you have.Your Witness Care Officer will keep you updated on
the progress of the case, passing on any information they receive by close of business the day after they receive it
at the latest.

If the case proceeds to court, your Witness Care Unit will, if you so wish, inform you of the outcome of:

• any application for special measures to help you give evidence in court;
• any decisions made by the court to release the defendant on bail (including any relevant conditions) or to
remand them in custody between court hearings; and
• all relevant court hearings.

10: Follow-up needs assessment

If you are a prosecution witness in a case that is going to trial, the initial assessment of your needs will be followed
up by your local Witness Care Unit.

This follow-up assessment will explore a range of issues that may influence your attendance at court and your
overall satisfaction with the process, including:

• whether you have any concerns regarding intimidation;

• what language or communication requirements you have, including if you have any difficulties with reading;
• whether you have any medical conditions or physical disabilities which would affect your ability to attend
court, including hearing or eyesight problems;
• whether you have any religious or cultural needs;
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 • whether you need help with childcare or other dependants;
• whether you would like a visit to the court before the trial;
• what transport needs you have to help you get to court on the day; and
• whether your employer is happy for you to attend court.

This needs assessment allows your Witness Care Unit to update your preferred means of contact and the dates
you are unavailable to attend court.

It is also a further opportunity to identify whether you are or may be a vulnerable or intimidated witness, and
what special or other measures would help you give your best evidence in court.

11: Meeting your needs

If you are a prosecution witness, your Witness Care Unit will provide a single point of contact, and will tailor
arrangements for your attendance at court to meet your personal circumstances. The Witness Care Officer will
also update and maintain a contact directory of support organisations in your area in order to refer you to those
organisations that can help meet your needs. If you are a defence witness, the defence lawyer will seek to provide
you with similar support and information.

If you need help to give your evidence effectively in court you may be eligible for assistance from a range of
support and special measures.

You will qualify for this help if you:

• are a witness under the age of 17;
• suffer from a mental or physical disorder;
• have communication needs; or
• are the victim of a sexual offence.

You may also be eligible if you feel so intimidated about giving evidence that it affects your ability to do so.

The police, the Witness Care Unit, or the prosecution or defence lawyer will explain which special measures may
be available to you, and ask which, if any of them, you would like to take.

If you are eligible for special measures for giving evidence, the prosecution or defence, having heard your views, can
make an application to the court for the use of one or more measures. The court will consider your views – and
whether the measure will help you to give your best evidence – when deciding whether to allow its use or not.

12:Taking account of your availability

In setting the trial date, the Witness Care Unit or defence lawyer will ask the court to seek to meet your needs
as a witness. This will include trying to ensure that you are not required to attend court on a date on which you
have an important commitment (e.g. hospital appointment, pre-booked holiday), unless there are exceptional
circumstances.

If the case is adjourned, a new date will be set that is as convenient to all parties as possible. As a witness, you can
help by informing those involved of any changes to your availability as early as possible.

Your employer or a family member may be reluctant to let you make yourself available to attend court. If this
occurs, an application can be made by the prosecution or defence lawyer to the court for the issue of a witness
summons, which you can then use to show that you are required to attend. A witness summons may also be used
if witnesses themselves are unwilling to give evidence.

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13: Giving priority to cases involving vulnerable witnesses, including child witnesses
If you are a vulnerable witness, a child witness, or if your case involves a vulnerable witness, the prosecution or the
defence lawyer will ask the court to give the case priority in respect of the times and dates of hearings.

The defence lawyer may not ask the court to give the case priority if it is not in the best interests of the defendant.

14: Notice of trial date and minimising unnecessary attendance

You will not be required to attend court for every hearing.

If you are a prosecution witness, your Witness Care Unit will inform you of when you need to give evidence in
court. They should notify you by the close of the next working day after receiving this information from the court.
If you are a defence witness, you will be informed of when you need to attend court by the defence lawyer.

Every effort will be made to ensure that you are only asked to attend court on the day on which you are required
to give evidence. Occasionally trials and hearings will be unable to take place on the day they are planned, and you
will be notified of any cancellations and adjournments.

You will be told:

• if a trial will not take place on the date that has been set;
• the reason for any adjournment of your case, if appropriate; and
• when your case is likely to be heard.

15: Information about the court process

The police, Witness Care Unit or defence lawyer will give you information to help you prepare for attending court.
The Witness Care Unit or defence lawyer may give you a DVD explaining the court process or you can collect a
copy from the Witness Service based at court. It can also be downloaded from
www.direct.gov.uk/goingtocourtvideo

If you wish, the police, Witness Care Unit or defence lawyer can give you contact details for the Witness Service.
If the witness is a child, the police, Witness Service or other supporter will give them the Young Witness Pack and
will seek to explain the content to them.

You can also obtain information on the internet, including an explanation of the process, from
www.cjsonline.gov.uk or www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk.

16: Information about the court and its location

If you have to go to court, the Witness Care Unit or defence lawyer will inform you of, or help you find out:

• the court opening hours;

• the location of the court, including a map showing where the court is with information about public
transport and car parking;
• the facilities available at court, including food and drink, toilets, telephones, separate waiting areas and
arrangements for people with disabilities:
• the support available at the court;
• arrangements for claiming expenses; and
• a helpline telephone number for further information.

This information will be available from court staff, the Witness Service or other witness supporters. It will also
be available in information leaflets for prosecution and defence witnesses from the Witness Care Unit of defence
lawyer. These leaflets can be downloaded from www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk.

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 17:Visiting the court before trial
As a prosecution or defence witness, you will be offered the opportunity to visit the court before the trial.
These pre-trial visits will be arranged by the Witness Care Unit, defence lawyer, or the Witness Service or other
witness supporter in conjunction with the court staff. During your visit you should, where feasible, be given the
opportunity to practise using the live TV link facility if the use of this measure has been granted.

18: Attendance of family and friends

Where the layout of the court permits, staff will seek to arrange for seats to be provided in the public gallery for
anyone accompanying you to the hearing, providing that you ask them to do this before the day itself. However,
there is no public gallery in a youth court.Your family and friends can also use the public facilities at court, which
are usually open to everyone.

If you are a witness and are accompanying another witness to court in the same case, you will be unable to sit in
the public gallery until after you have given your evidence.

19: Support at court

As a prosecution or defence witness attending court, you can receive help and support from the Witness Service,
which has staff and volunteers in every Crown Court and magistrates’ court in England and Wales.

The Witness Service aims to:

• provide an independent, impartial and confidential service and treat you with respect and understanding;
• provide information on court procedure and lay-out;
• provide any practical assistance you require, for example help with expenses forms;
• answer any questions you have or refer you to someone who can; and
• support you in coping with any anxieties you might have about appearing in court.

The Witness Service, where permitted by the court, can also accompany you into the courtroom or the live TV
link room.

The Witness Service is a free and impartial service and will not offer an opinion on the case, discuss the case or
the evidence before the trial or provide legal advice.

The prosecution or defence may also arrange other support for you, with the permission of the court. This may
include specific help with arrangements for your appearance in the witness box or in the live TV link room.

20: Court facilities and signage

When you come to court, you should find:

• polite and helpful court and Witness Service staff wearing identification badges;
• clear signs to help you find your way around the building; and
• a clearly signposted Witness Service or other witness supporter reception point.

All court buildings will:

• publicly display a list of cases to be heard that day;

• have functional, accessible and clean toilet facilities; and
• have clean and comfortable waiting areas.

In addition, courts will either have refreshment areas or staff will tell you what arrangements can be made to
obtain refreshments.

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21: Safety at court
Court staff will seek to provide as safe an environment as possible for you and all other court users.
There are court security officers based in all Crown Court centres and most magistrates’ courts who will seek to
monitor everyone - including witnesses, defendants and supporters - who seek entry to the court building. They
have the power to exclude, remove or restrain individuals who may disrupt court business or pose a threat to the
safety of other court users.

Court staff will seek to ensure that the defendant, the defence and prosecution witnesses and their respective
families and supporters are kept separate throughout the court building. If you are a vulnerable or intimidated
witness, court staff will seek to review entrance and exit routes to limit the opportunity for you to come into
contact with the other parties.

22: Lawyers introducing themselves

If you attend court as a witness, the relevant lawyer will, where practicable, seek to introduce themselves to you
on the day and will seek to answer any practical questions you have.

23: Waiting rooms and standby arrangements

At court there should be separate waiting areas for prosecution and defence witnesses and their family and
friends. If there is not a separate area available, other arrangements will be considered for you to wait separately
from the other parties.

Court staff will seek to ensure that all witness waiting rooms:

• are well maintained and clean;

• are secure;
• offer privacy, e.g. have blinds on any windows;
• have reading materials;
• contain suitable toys and reading matter for children of different ages;
• have a means of summoning assistance or making enquiries; and
• have a courtroom lay-out plan on display.

If you are a vulnerable or intimidated witness, you may be able to wait somewhere near to the court until the time
you need to give evidence.

It is important that you do not speak to other witnesses about your or their evidence at any stage.

24: Waiting times at court and being updated on progress

Everyone involved in your case will seek to ensure that from the time you are asked to attend court and give
evidence, you do not have to wait more than two hours in the Crown Court, or more than one hour in a
magistrates’ court. However, there are sometimes delays which will be unavoidable.

If the witness giving evidence is a child, every effort will be taken to reduce the chances of them being kept waiting
to give evidence.

The prosecution or defence lawyer, court staff, Witness Service or other witness supporter will seek to:

• tell you as quickly as possible if your case cannot be heard on the day;
• give you an indication of how long you will have to wait before giving evidence and update you regularly;
and
• inform you if you are likely to have to wait longer than expected and the reason for any delay..

25: Special arrangements for witnesses with disabilities or medical conditions

The defence or prosecution lawyer will ask court staff to make provision for any special needs you may have as a
result of a disability, medical condition or age, which mean you will need help attending court or in giving evidence.

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 26: Special measures for vulnerable or intimidated witnesses
If the court has granted an application for one or more special measures to help you give evidence, court staff will
ensure the special measure is available and provide any assistance as required.

27: Communication aids

You are entitled to give evidence in the language of your choice if English is not your first language.

If you have any language or communication needs an accredited interpreter, registered intermediary, signer or
other assistance will be provided either by the court staff or the prosecution or defence lawyer, provided that this
need has been identified in advance.

28:The witness box

Before the usher calls you into the courtroom and shows you to the witness box, they will ask you how you want
to promise to tell the truth.You will be able use the holy book of your religion and court staff will ensure that they
handle it in the correct way. Alternatively if you prefer you can choose to ‘affirm’, which is a non-religious way of
promising to tell the truth.

You will be expected to give your name in court when you give evidence. Judges, magistrates and court staff will
only require you to disclose your address in open court if it is relevant to the case.

If you feel unwell or particularly upset at any point while giving evidence, you should tell the judge or magistrate,
who may allow you to pause and have a rest. If at any stage you do not understand a question that you have been
asked, you should make this known to the questioner or the judge or magistrate.

Once you have given evidence, you may remain in the court building and can watch the rest of the proceedings
from the public gallery if you are aged 14 or over. This does not apply in the youth court, which does not have a
public gallery.

29: Cross-examination
Cross-examination is an essential element of a fair trial. You may be questioned by another party’s lawyer, who
will test the evidence you have provided to ensure that it is accurate and that you are being honest, or may put
another version of an event to you for your comment. Defendants can represent themselves and, except in certain
types of cases, are entitled to cross-examine you.

The lawyer for any party may object to questions put to you, which they will seek to do if cross-examination by
another party is considered to be unreasonable: for example, if it is unfair, offensive or oppressive.

30: Being informed of the result

If you are a prosecution witness, your Witness Care Unit will:

• n otify you of the outcome of your case and, if relevant, the sentence by the end of the working day after
they receive this information from the court; and
• explain to you what the sentence means, and if necessary refer you to an appropriate organisation if you
have further questions.

If you are a defence witness, you will be informed of the outcome of the case by the court staff, on request, or by
the defence lawyer as far as their professional rules allow.

31: Appeals
If you are a prosecution witness, your Witness Care Unit will notify you of any appeal against a conviction or
sentence and inform you of the outcome passed on appeal. If you are a defence witness, the defence lawyer will
seek to notify you as far as their professional rules allow.

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The prosecution may ask the Attorney General to review a sentence that they consider to be unduly lenient. If
the prosecution decides not to refer a case, having been requested to do so, they will write to the relevant person
(or persons) informing them of that decision. Witnesses and any other interested parties are entitled to approach
the Attorney General direct, within 28 days of the sentence, setting out the reasons why they think the sentence
should be reviewed.

32: Post-trial support

The Witness Service or other supporter will seek to give you the chance to talk over the case when it has ended
and provide you with more help or information. This may include advice if you think you are at risk of intimidation
after appearing as a witness.

If you need further help after the trial, the Witness Care Unit, Witness Service or other witness supporter will
refer you to relevant support agencies where they are available.

33: Claiming expenses

In most cases you will be able to claim expenses for costs incurred while travelling to and from court.You may also
be able to claim expenses for any loss of earnings while attending court to give evidence.

The Witness Service or prosecution lawyer will seek to inform you of the procedures for claiming your expenses
and what allowances you can claim, and you can ask for help completing the claim form.

However, if you are a defence witness giving evidence as a character witness, you will not be able to claim
expenses unless the court makes a specific order.

If you are a prosecution witness and you require an advance payment to attend court or return home, in
exceptional circumstances the prosecuting lawyer will seek to make emergency arrangements.

34: Complaints
If you are unhappy with the level of service that you have received from any of the criminal justice agencies you
can make a complaint in the first instance through the complaints procedure of that service. However, this does
not extend to any complaint about the judicial outcome, verdict or sentence.

Agencies and lawyers will always:

• make it clear how to make a complaint;

• treat your complaint seriously;
• try to deal with your complaint as soon as possible; and
• tell you how to take a complaint forward if you are not satisfied with the outcome of the initial
investigation.

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 Glossary of Terms
Acquittal
The discharge of the defendant(s) following a verdict or direction of not guilty.

Adjournment
The temporary suspension of the hearing of a case by order of the court.

Affirmation
The declaration by a witness who has no religious belief, or has religious beliefs that prevent him or her taking the
oath, that the evidence he or she is giving is the truth.

Appeal
An application to a higher court or authority for review of a decision of a lower court or authority.

Bail
The release of a defendant from custody, until his or her next appearance in court. This is sometimes subject to
security being given and/or compliance with certain conditions.

Charge
A formal accusation against a person(s).

Conviction
When an offender has pleaded or been found guilty of an offence in a court, he or she is said to have been
convicted. The conviction then appears on the offender’s criminal record.

Cross-examination
The process of challenging in court the evidence given by a witness.

Crown Court
A court where criminal proceedings are commenced before a judge and a jury of twelve. The Crown Court also
acts as an appeal court for cases heard and dealt with by the magistrates’ and youth courts.

Defence lawyer
The person representing the interests of the defendant(s).

Defendant
A person charged with a criminal offence.

Lawyer
The general term used in the Witness Charter to describe barristers (who usually work in the Crown Court and
Appeal Court, or for the prosecuting authority concerned) and solicitors.

Magistrates’ court
A court where criminal proceedings are commenced before magistrates or district judges, who examine the
evidence and statements put before them.

Oath
A verbal promise by a person with religious beliefs to tell the truth.

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Prosecution lawyer
The person who presents the case against the defendant(s).

Remand in custody
The defendant is kept in custody pending further court appearance(s).
Special measures
The various measures that a court can order to assist vulnerable or intimidated witnesses to give their best
evidence in court. These measures include live TV links, video-recorded statements, screens around the witness
box and assistance with communication, including the use of an intermediary.

Statement
A written or video account by a witness of the facts and details of a crime or an incident.

Summons
Order to appear or to produce evidence to a court.

Vulnerable or intimidated witness

The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 defines ‘vulnerable’ witnesses as being children and young
people under 17 years of age and those suffering from a physical or mental incapacity; and ‘intimidated’ witnesses
as those who are in fear or distress about giving evidence, which may reduce the quality of that evidence, and
victims of sexual offences.

Witness Care Unit

A unit comprising Witness Care Officers, who act as a single point of contact to provide information and support
for prosecution witnesses from the point when the defendant(s) has been charged.

Witness Service
A national service provided by Victim Support, a registered national charity.
Witness Service staff and volunteers are situated in every Crown Court centre and magistrates’ court in England
and Wales.

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Designed by Creative Services, March 2008.
HO_01018_CJS Witness charter 2008