A person who helps a witness or a defendant with communication.
An intermediary is a communication specialist, to help a witness or defendant understand the court process and give their best evidence.
Child witnesses are automatically entitled to ask for an intermediary if it will help improve their evidence.1 Intermediaries are one of several special measures that can help witnesses give evidence. Child defendants can ask for a registered intermediary.2
An intermediary will meet the witness or defendant and get to know them. An intermediary can also help a defendant speak to their lawyer about the case, understand the questions their lawyer is asking, give answers to those questions as well as help the defendant ask their lawyer questions. In court, the intermediary will help the witness or defendant understand what is happening, understand any questions that they are asked and help the court understand their answers.