Justice Committee to take evidence from police and CPS on the use of pre-recorded cross-examination
The Justice Committee will take evidence from the police and Crown Prosecution Service on Tuesday, 23 January to examine the use of pre-recorded cross-examination, under Section 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act (YJCEA) 1999.
Meeting details
Section 28 of the YJCEA allows vulnerable witnesses (under Section 16 of the YJCEA) and intimidated witnesses (under Section 17(4) of the YJCEA) to video record their cross-examination before the trial.
MPs will hear from Genna Telfer, Assistant Chief Constable at Hertfordshire Constabulary, Chris Hartley, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor, Crown Prosecution Service and Laura Hynes, National Vulnerable Witness Adviser, National Crime Agency on the operation of the pre-recorded cross-examination for both vulnerable and intimidated witnesses.
Discussion is expected to focus on all aspects of the use of pre-recorded cross-examination, including the effect of the use of section 28 on the experience of vulnerable and intimidated witnesses, victims, defendants and juries.
The session will examine the practical operation of section 28, the quality of technology used, the process used to decide whether to employ section 28 in a particular case, the effect of the use of section 28 on the number of cases brought to trial, outcomes, and impact on Crown Court capacity, plus how section 28 could be improved and reformed.