News

The introduction of special measures for vulnerable adult witnesses were expected to move a step closer to reality this week with the long-awaited publication of an implementation plan for outstanding provisions of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999.

The plan and accompanying guidance was due to be published this week by the inter-departmental steering group set up to take forward the act and the 78 recommendations for improving the criminal justice system contained in the Home Office's 1998 report, Speaking up for Justice.

The special measures - which have already been introduced for child witnesses - include the use of screens in court, live links, evidence given in private, removal of wigs and gowns, video-recorded evidence-in-chief, video-recorded cross-examination, and the use of intermediaries and communication aids.

Speaking in the House of Commons last week, the minister for criminal justice, sentencing and law reform, Keith Bradley, admitted the December 2001 target for implementing most of the Crown Court measures had been "too ambitious". He said a final revised timetable would be announced this week.

"We should enable anyoneÉ to give evidence, by putting the conditions in place to hear it," said Bradley, pointing to physical and environmental factors, as well as the organisation of the courts and the criminal justice system.