Live link room
This is the live link room. In this room you will sit in front of a monitor with a camera on the top and give your evidence. This camera is linked to the court room. Everyone in the courtroom can see you when you are giving your evidence on a large TV screen. This works like 'Skype' or 'FaceTime.'
If you are worried about the defendant seeing you on the TV screen, then you should speak to your witness supporter who can talk to the court to see if anything can be done about this.
Taking the oath
If you are 14 or over, the usher will ask you to 'take the oath' before you answer any questions about what you know. This is a promise to tell the truth. You will be asked your name and age before you say your oath.
You need to tell the usher and your Young Witness Supporter:
- If you have a religion and which Holy Book you use. If you are not religious, you can make a different promise.
- If you have difficulty reading. The usher can help by saying the words and asking you to repeat them back.
Cross Examination
When you give your evidence you will be asked questions about what you know. This is called 'Cross Examination'. Sometimes these questions can be difficult, so your Young Witness Supporter can help you get ready for this. It is important to remember to:
- Listen to the questions carefully
- Answer them clearly
- Tell the truth
There may be times during cross examination when you do not understand the question, you are confused or upset or you don't agree with what someone is saying. It is OK to say:
- 'I don't understand the question'
- 'Can you say the question again?'
- 'Can you ask me one question at a time?'
- 'I don't know the answer'
- 'I can't remember'
- 'No, that is not what happened'
- 'Can I take a break?'
Frequently Asked Questions
These are some questions that other young witnesses have asked me.
Do I have to go to court? Why?
If you have been asked to go to court then you do have to go. What you have to tell the court is so important that they need you to tell them yourself. If someone else speaks for you they may not get it right. It's important that you tell the court in your own words what you know.
If you have any worries about going to court, please tell your witness supporter or your police officer who can talk through your worries, look at your choices with you and help get you the right support.
Will I see the defendant?
The things that can be done to help keep you separate from the defendant are coming into court in a separate entrance, giving your evidence from a different room or behind a screen, waiting in a separate safe area. The young witness supporter will plan this with you on your pre-trial visit.
If they don't believe me, will I be in trouble?
Firstly, if the defendant is found not guilty it doesn't mean that people didn't believe you. It just means that there wasn't enough evidence to prove it. You won't be in trouble for telling the truth – that's why the court has asked for you to be a witness. You will be asked questions about what you tell the court, this is to check out what you know.
What if I forget everything?
Please do not worry about that. It is perfectly normal for people to forget things, especially when you are talking about difficult memories that happened a long time ago. If you do not remember then you simply tell the truth, and explain that you cannot remember.
What if I need the toilet?
Just put up your hand and say you need a break. The court will let you take a break.
People who can help
You will need to talk to your supporters and plan where they will be when you give your evidence. If you don't want your supporters to hear your evidence - that's okay and you can ask your young witness supporter to help you explain what you want.
Family members 
Intermediary
Interpreter
Other supporters
Family members
Your witness supporter can help you decide if you would like your family members to listen to you give your evidence in court. If they listen to your evidence, they will sit in the public gallery. Your family members can only do this if they are not a witness in the case as well. If your family members do not listen to your evidence, they can wait for you in the waiting room.
Intermediary
If the court has agreed you can have an intermediary to help you communicate with the court, they will be in the court room or live link room next to you. Click on the intermediary to find out more.
Interpreter
If the court has agreed you can have an interpreter to help you communicate with the court, they will be in the court room or live link room next to you.
Other supporters
You may have a worker already who has been helping you, such as a teacher, a young peoples' worker, IDVA or ISVA. This is a person you will probably already know and trust, who would like to support you at court. If you would like this person to listen to your evidence they can sit in the public gallery or they can stay in the waiting room and meet you after you have given your evidence.
TV screen
Whilst you are in the live link room, the rest of the court will be able to see you on this TV screen
Public Gallery
We are members of the public. The court is usually open to the public, where we will sit quietly and listen at the back of the court.
Intermediary
I am an intermediary and my job is to help you communicate with the court. I can use different ways to help you communicate, including:
- picture cards
- models
- drawings
- writing
- using a laptop
I can also help if you use any special means of communication or a communication aid.
I will also advise the court on how best to communicate with you, to help you understand the questions you are being asked. I will tell the court if I think you do not understand what is being asked.
Interpreter
I am an interpreter and my job is to help you communicate with the court if you speak a different language or you use British Sign Language. I will only say the words that you communicate
Camera
This camera will film you giving your evidence.
Screen
You will be able to see the judge, the prosecution and the defence lawyer depending on who is speaking to you. The judge controls the camera and who you can see on your screen. You will not see the defendant on this screen.
Camera
The judge needs to be able to see everything that happens in the live link room. There will be a few cameras in the room to make sure everything can be seen (a bit like CCTV).
Witness supporter
There will always be an adult in this room with you. It maybe the usher, your witness supporter or another supporter. Their job is to make sure the equipment works and will give you any help that the judge asks for e.g. get you a glass of water. They are not allowed to talk to you while you give your evidence.
Communication aids and adaptations
If you use communication aids to say what you want, then these can be used when you give your evidence. These could be:
- symbol boards
- pen and paper
- computers
- picture boards
You may also be appointed an intermediary who will help you with your communication.
Live link introduction
Watch HH Judge Rosa Dean explain what happens when you give your evidence in the live link room.
