1 March 2021
18.The Act requires rules of court to make provision enabling a court to make a special measures direction in family proceedings in relation to a party or witness who is a victim of, or at risk of, domestic abuse, where the court considers that a direction should be made.
19.The Act also requires court rules to make provision enabling a court hearing civil proceedings to make a special measures direction in relation to a party or witness who is a victim, or alleged victim, of specified offences, where this is likely to diminish the quality of their evidence, or, if a party, their participation in the proceedings and the court considers that a direction should be made.