News In Focus
1 November 2007
Child protection extended to civil courts
Children and vulnerable adults will now be given the same protection in civil courts as they already get in criminal cases.
From today the protections under the Vulnerable Witnesses Act will apply to civil proceedings in the Court of Session and sheriff courts, including fatal accident inquiries.
This means that children under the age of 16, and qualifying adults, will be able to give evidence through video links, from behind screens or to a commissioner outside of the court hearing. If they give evidence in court, they will be allowed to have a supporter sitting next to them.
The remaining extension of the Act, to vulnerable adults in summary sheriff court cases, is planned for 1 April 2008. After then the Act will apply to all courts in Scotland with the exception of the district court.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "For some children, and vulnerable adults, our courts can be intimidating places. The thought of giving evidence in front of a court full of people may be downright scary.
"These measures have been designed to give children and vulnerable adults the help they need to be an effective witness. I believe these measures - and this extension of them - can help make being a witness easier and less traumatic for many children and vulnerable people."