Citizens Advice Witness Service (independent support)

source: Citizens Advice
published: date unknown

Attending court can be a very daunting and stressful time for victims and witnesses. The services aim is to alleviate as many concerns as possible, reassure safety at court, work holistically with other organisations to meet various needs of victims and witnesses and provide practical and emotional support through the court process.

The CAB service will support anyone who is required to go to court as a witness, both prosecution and defence witnesses.

If you’re going to court, read the guidance on how to keep safe from  GOV.UK.

Referrals to the service (click here)

The CAB referral pathway is very simple, they have an online form on their website or you can call the Witness Service Referral Hub by phone on 0300 330 1161.

The Witness Services:

In Court Support : CAB have teams of highly trained volunteers based in every criminal court in England & Wales able to meet witnesses as soon as they get to court, take them to a safe & secure waiting room and explain the court process, the support available, liaise with court staff and criminal justice agencies to ensure the witness is kept up to date and their court needs are met inline with the Witness Charter and the Victims Code.  CAB can support witnesses in the courtroom while they give their evidence if necessary and empower them to speak up if they are experiencing difficulties.

Pre-Trial Support : CAB are able to offer all victims and witnesses the opportunity to look around the court building to familiarise themselves with the environment, see what a courtroom, view the waiting room and secure entrances specifically for vulnerable witnesses and facilities. They can also explain the full process of what will happen on the day and who will be involved in the case and why, so the witness fully understands and can ask as many questions as they want. 

Enhanced Support : For witnesses classed as vulnerable and/or Intimidated CAB have an enhanced support service that will provide more in depth pre-trial support 2-3 months in advance of the trial so that there is time to put in as much support needed by the individual victim/witness. CAB use a range of information sources and activities to best prepare the witnesses for the trial process and we assess needs for further support either related to the trial or non related.

Read the full details here >