17Objections to special measures: other vulnerable witnesses
In section 271C of the 1995 Act (other vulnerable witnesses)—
(a)after subsection (4), insert—
“(4A)Any party to the proceedings may, not later than 7 days after a vulnerable witness application has been lodged, lodge with the court a notice (referred to in this section as “an objection notice”) stating—
(a)an objection to any special measure specified in the vulnerable witness application that the party considers to be inappropriate, and
(b)the reasons for that objection.
(4B)The court may, on cause shown, allow an objection notice to be lodged after the period referred to in subsection (4A).
(4C)If an objection notice is lodged in accordance with subsection (4A) or (4B)—
(a)subsection (5) does not apply to the vulnerable witness application, and
(b)the court must make an order under subsection (5A).”,
(b)in subsection (5), for “later than 7” substitute “earlier than 7 days and not later than 14”, and
(c)in subsection (11)—
(i)after “application”, where it first occurs, insert “or an objection notice”, and
(ii)after “application”, where it second occurs, insert “or, as the case may be, the notice”.