PART XII Evidence

Evidence of children

C1271MF1Giving evidence in chief in the form of a prior statement

1

This section applies where the special measure to be used in respect of a vulnerable witness is giving evidence in chief in the form of a prior statement.

2

A statement made by the vulnerable witness which is lodged in evidence for the purposes of this section by or on behalf of the party citing the vulnerable witness shall, subject to subsection (3) below, be admissible as the witness’s evidence in chief, or as part of the witness’s evidence in chief, without the witness being required to adopt or otherwise speak to the statement in giving evidence in court.

3

Section 260 of this Act shall apply to a statement lodged for the purposes of this section as it applies to a prior statement referred to in that section but as if—

a

references to a prior statement were references to the statement lodged for the purposes of this section,

b

in subsection (1), the words “where a witness gives evidence in criminal proceedings” were omitted, and

c

in subsection (2), paragraph (b) were omitted.

4

This section does not affect the admissibility of any statement made by any person which is admissible otherwise than by virtue of this section.

5

In this section, “statement” has the meaning given in section 262(1) of this Act.