The Magistrates' Courts (Special Measures Directions) (Amendment) Rules 2004 No. 184

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2004 No. 184 (L. 1)
MAGISTRATES' COURTS
The Magistrates' Courts (Special Measures Directions) (Amendment) Rules 2004

	Made	1st February 2004
	Laid before Parliament	2nd February 2004
	Coming into force	23rd February 2004

The Lord Chancellor, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by section 144 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980[1] and sections 20(6), 29(5) and 65(1) of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999[2], after consultation with the Rule Committee appointed under the said section 144, hereby makes the following Rules:

Citation, commencement and interpretation
     1. - (1) These Rules may be cited as the Magistrates' Courts (Special Measures Directions) (Amendment) Rules 2004 and shall come into force on 23rd February 2004.

    (2) In these Rules, "the Special Measures Directions Rules" means the Magistrates' Courts (Special Measures Directions) Rules 2002[3].

Examination of witness through intermediary
     2. - (1) The Special Measures Directions Rules shall be amended in accordance with the following provisions of this rule.

    (2) In rule 1 (citation, commencement and interpretation), in paragraph (2), at the end add -

" "an intermediary" has the same meaning as in section 29 of the Act;

"child witness in need of special protection" shall be construed in accordance with section 21(1) of the Act.".

(3) In rule 2 (application for special measures direction) -

(b) after paragraph (6) insert -

(4) In rule 4 (late applications), after paragraph (3), add -

if the opposition is that the special measures direction will not maximise the quality of the witness's evidence.".

(5) In rule 7 (application for special measures direction for witness to give evidence by means of a live television link) -

(6) In rule 8 (video recording of testimony from witnesses) -

(7) After rule 9 (expert evidence), insert -

" Intermediaries

9A.

The declaration required to be made by an intermediary in accordance with section 29(5) of the Act shall be in the following form -

"I solemnly, sincerely and truly declare that I will well and faithfully communicate questions and answers and make true explanation of all matters and things as shall be required of me according to the best of my skill and understanding.".

(8) For the Schedule, substitute the following Schedule -

" SCHEDULE

Rule 2(1) and (2)

FORM OF APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL MEASURES DIRECTION UNDER SECTION 19 OF THE YOUTH JUSTICE AND CRIMINAL EVIDENCE ACT 1999

An application must be made -

This form may also be used where an extension of time has been granted for the making of this application.

A copy of this form must be given at the same time to the other party or parties to the case.

PART A
To be completed by all applicants

Details required	Notes
Details of witness: Name of witness Date of birth of witness: If a previous application has been made to tender in evidence a video recording of testimony from the witness, give the date and (if known) result of that application.	An application by the defence for evidence to be given through a live television link or by means of a video recording need not disclose who that witness is, except where the witness is to give evidence in support of an alibi. If the applicant is the prosecutor, give the name of the witness (otherwise leave blank).
Case details Name of Crown Prosecution Service office: Crown Prosectution Service number: Defendant(s): surname: forenames: Case reference numbers: (a) unique reference number assigned by police: (b) trial number:
Court area:	The area in which the court hearing the case is situated.
Charges:	Give brief details of those charges to which this application applies.
Details of application Specify the special measures being sought: State the grounds on which the witness relies in support of the application for a special measures direction:	The statement should make clear whether the applicant seeks automatic eligibility [see Reasons for application section below] or whether the applicant alleges that the quality of the evidence will be reduced unless a direction is given. In the latter case, the grounds on which the applicant alleges that the quality of the witness's evidence is likely to be diminished in terms of completeness, coherence and accuracy should be clearly stated. Give a description of evidence submitted in support of this application: This requirement is optional. Examples of evidence might be: birth certificate; medical report; expert evidence; police report.
Arrangements which may be made available Give a description of the arrangements relevant to the measures applied for which may be made available in the area in which it is likely the hearing will take place:
Reasons for application A. Is the application for special measures for any of the following? (i) video recorded evidence in chief only; (ii) live link only; (iii) both these measures? Yes/No
B. Is the witness a child witness in need of special protection? Yes/No	A child witness in need of special protection is defined by section 21 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999.
C. Is the witness a child under 17 but not a child witness in need of special protection at the time that any relevant recording was made? Yes/No
If the answer to both A and B is "Yes", information concerning the grounds of application and any views of the witness need not be provided.	Section 21 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999.
If the answer to C is "Yes" and there is no application for either video recorded evidence in chief or live link, (or both) state the reasons why it is said that the special measures of video evidence in chief, live link, (or both) would NOT maximise the quality of the child's evidence.	Section 21 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 sets out a primary rule in favour of providing child witnesses with video recorded evidence in chief and live link unless, for witnesses who are not child witnesses in need of special protection, this would not be likely to maximise the quality of the witness's evidence.
For all witnesses over 17 years and for applications for witnesses under 17 years for measures other than video recorded evidence in chief or live link:
Give the grounds for believing the special measures being sought in this application will improve the quality of the witness's evidence:
Give the views of the witness as to why the measures sought in this application are required:
Material change of circumstances Give a description of any material change of circumstances relied upon to support this application:	This requirement applies only where - (a) a special measures direction is already in force and application is being made to discharge or vary the direction, or (b) a previous application for a special measures direction was refused and this application seeks to reverse that decision.

PART B
To be completed if the application is for evidence to be given through a live television link

Details required

Notes

Details of application

Give -

An application by the defence need not disclose the name of the person proposed to accompany the witness if disclosure could lead to the identification of the witness.

Grounds

State why it is believed that this person should accompany the witness:

PART C
To be completed if the application is to tender in evidence a video recording under section 27 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999

Details required	Notes
Video recording(s) Statement as to circumstances in which video recording made:	These details need to be completed only to the extent that the information is not contained in the video recording itself.
Date(s) of video recording(s):
Time(s) of video recording(s):	Give the times at which recording began and finished, including details of any interruptions.
Location and normal function of premises where video recording made:	Give address of premises where recording made and state the usual function of those premises.
Details of those present while recording made Give details of each person present at any point during the recording.	Include name, age and occupation of anyone present; time for which present; relationship (if any) to witness and to the defendant.
Use of an intermediary 1. Was any person used as an intermediary in the making of the video recording?
If so, has the court's approval for the purposes of section 29 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 been given? If it has, give details.	The court's approval for the purposes of section 29 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 must be given before the Special Measures Direction is given. The court's approval may be sought at the hearing of the application for the Special Measures Direction.
2. Did the intermediary make the appropriate declaration before the interview began?	If the court's approval has not been obtained the information required in Part C of this Form must be given.
Is the declaration recorded on the video recording?	The declaration is - "I solemnly, sincerely and truly declare that I will well and faithfully communicate questions and answers and make true explanation of all matters and things as shall be required of me according to the best of my skill and understanding."
Equipment used Give a description of - (a) the equipment used for the recording: (b) any devices used as an aid to communication:	The description must include the following information - number and type of cameras used (fixed or mobile); the number and location of microphones; the video format used; and whether it offered single or multiple recording facilities and if it did which were used. In the case of communication aids, describe how the device was operated. State also whether the equipment was provided for or owned by the witness or the intermediary and whether any additional needs arose for the witness or the intermediary as a result of using the devices. (Refer to the examples given in Part C, paragraph 9(b)).
Recordings of part only of an interview State whether the video recording contains part only of the interview with the witness:	A copy of any video recordings of other parts of the interview with the witness which it is not proposed to tender in evidence must also be provided to the court and the other parties. The details of each such recording must be given as above. Use separate sheets where necessary.
Details of copy State in respect of each video recording whether it is a copy, and give the following details in respect of each copy - Name and address of person who has the master tape: When, and by whom, the copy was made:
Attendance and supply of copies In the opinion of the applicant - (a) is the witness available for cross-examination? (b) if the witness is not available for cross-examination, have the parties agreed that the witness need not be available?
Has the agreement of the other parties to the video recording(s) being tendered as evidence been sought?
Have copies of the video recording(s) to which this application relates been disclosed to the other parties?
Has a copy of this notice and the video recording(s) to which it relates been served on each party to the proceedings?	Where the application is by the defendant, the video recording(s) do not have to be served on the prosecution until the close of the prosecution case at the trial.
Signature of applicant or applicant's Solicitor:	Date:

PART D
To be completed if the application is for the examination of the witness to be conducted through an intermediary or if the court's approval is being sought retrospectively to the use of an intermediary in a video recording

Details required	Notes
Details of application 1. Give a description of the communication needs of the witness:	Where an assessment has been undertaken by a relevant professional, give details of where and by whom the assessment was carried out.
2. State why you consider that the quality of the evidence given by the witness would be improved by use of an intermediary:
3. Give the name of the person through whom it is proposed the examination of the witness be conducted:
4. What is the occupation of this person and what is the person's area of specialism:
5. Is this person related to the witness? If not related to the witness, does the intermediary know the witness and, if so, how and to what extent?
6. Is this person registered with the Intermediary Registration Board?	If the person is not registered with the IRB, give the reason why this person is preferred to an IRB registered person.
7. Why do you consider this person has the necessary skills to meet the particular communication needs of the witness:
8. Has this person been used in the pre-trial investigation?	If so, give reasons why it is proposed to use the same person throughout the proceedings.
9. Communication aids - (a) give details of any devise used or which it is intended to use as a communication aid: (b) are there any issues which arise as a result of this device being used?	Give details of any devices that may be used and how they are operated. Examples might be: (a) whether breaks might be needed for the witness and/or the intermediary: (b) the facilities that may be needed for the use of the devices, for example power sources."

Falconer of Thoroton,
C

1st February 2004

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Rules)

These Rules amend the Magistrates' Courts (Special Measures Directions) Rules 2002 so as to make provision for the use by witnesses at trials of intermediaries and also of devices as an aid to communications. The form used by those seeking to avail themselves of these special measures is amended to include provisions specifically directed at the use of intermediaries (Part D of the form) and devices as an aid to communication. Special measures directions are available for those witnesses eligible for assistance under sections 16 and 17 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (c. 23). Those who merely seek a foreign language interpreter do not fall within those provisions. The Rules also provide that the provisions enabling a party to proceedings to oppose an application for a special measures direction do not apply where the application is for a child witness in need of special protection if the opposition is that the special measures direction is not likely to maximise the quality of the witness's evidence.

Notes:

[1] 1980 c. 43; section 144 is extended by section 145 of that Act, by the Children Act 1989 (c. 41), section 93, by the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41), sections 10, 125(3) and Schedule 18, paragraph 25(7) and by the Justices of the Peace Act 1997 (c. 25), section 45.

back

[2] 1999 c. 23.back

[3] S.I. 2002/1687 (L.4).back

Prepared 17 February 2004

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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> United Kingdom Statutory Instruments >> The Magistrates' Courts (Special Measures Directions) (Amendment) Rules 2004 No. 184 URL: http://www.bailii.org/uk/legis/num_reg/2004/20040184.html