PART XII Evidence
F2Special measures for child witnesses and other vulnerable witnesses
C1C2271BF1Further special provision for child witnesses under the age of 12
1
This section applies where a child witness—
a
is to give evidence at, or for the purposes of, F3a hearing in relevant criminal proceedings in respect of any offence specified in subsection (2) below, and
b
is under the age of 12 on the date of commencement of the proceedings in which F4the hearing is being or to be held.
2
The offences referred to in subsection (1)(a) above are—
a
murder,
b
culpable homicide,
c
any offence to which section 288C of this Act applies,
d
any offence which involves an assault on, or injury or a threat of injury to, any person (including any offence involving neglect or ill-treatment of, or other cruelty to, a child),
e
abduction, and
f
plagium.
F53
Subsection (4) applies if the child witness expresses a wish to be present in the court-room for the purpose of giving evidence.
4
The court must make an order under section 271A or, as the case may be, 271D which has the effect of requiring the child witness to be present in the court-room for the purpose of giving evidence unless the court considers that it would not be appropriate for the child witness to be present there for that purpose.
5
Subsection (6) applies if the child witness—
a
does not express a wish to be present in the court-room for the purpose of giving evidence, or
b
expresses a wish to give evidence in some other way.
6
The court may not make an order under section 271A or 271D having the effect mentioned in subsection (4) unless the court considers that—
a
the giving of evidence by the child witness in some way other than by being present in the court-room for that purpose would give rise to a significant risk of prejudice to the fairness of the trial or otherwise to the interests of justice, and
b
that risk significantly outweighs any risk of prejudice to the interests of the child witness if the order were to be made.
Ss. 271-271M and preceding cross-heading substituted for s. 271 (1.4.2005, 30.11.2005, 1.4.2006. 1.4.2007 and 2.7.2007 for certain purposes and otherwise 1.4.2008) by Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 3), ss. 1, 25; S.S.I. 2005/168, art. 2, Sch. (with savings in art. 4); S.S.I. 2005/590, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 4); S.S.I. 2006/59, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 4(1)); S.S.I. 2007/101, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 4); S.S.I. 2007/329, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 4); S.S.I. 2008/57, art. 2 (with art. 3)