Tag: Communication

Young witnesses (and defendants) urgently need intermediaries

A Voice for the Voiceless: The Victims’ Commissioner’s Review into the Provision of Registered Intermediaries for Children and Vulnerable Victims and Witnesses The victims’ commissioner has published a report based on findings from a research project in to the provision of Registered Intermediaries to vulnerable witnesses  through the Witness Intermediary Scheme. Details Intermediaries are specialists […]

YJLC Intermediary Guide

The Youth Justice Legal Centre (YJLC) has published a lawyer's guide to the use of intermediaries for child defendants.

CBA call for evidence: failure to appoint intermediaries

The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has expressed concern about the amendments to the Criminal Practice Direction in relation to intermediaries. It has requested practitioners to share their experience of defendants who have been badly disadvantaged by the Court’s failure to appoint an intermediary.

Amended Criminal Practice Directions – changes relating to intermediaries

The amended Criminal Practice Directions 2015 (in force on 4 April 2016) contains a revised practice direction on the appointment and use of intermediaries during criminal trials. The new practice direction has attracted criticism because it suggests intermediaries for defendants will be 'rare'.

Guidance on speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) in the youth justice system

The Youth Justice Board (YJB) and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists have issued joint guidance on speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) in the youth justice system.