Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Deferred
Thorough review of Section 28 implications required before further expansion.
Conclusion
The rollout and expansion of section 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, which allows pre-recording of evidence and cross-examination for children and vulnerable witnesses, is an important step in improving the experience of these witnesses in the criminal justice system. However, it is vital that a thorough review of the practical and procedural implications of the use of section 28 is undertaken before there is any further expansion of its use. (Paragraph 69) Listing in the Crown Court
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response discussed efforts to improve family courts and promote mediation, including a £5.1 million commitment to the Mediation voucher scheme, completely deflecting from the recommendation about reviewing Section 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
It is important that we prioritise making section 28 available to support complainants of rape and serious sexual offences as quickly as possible. The Ministry of Justice continues to monitor data from the courts and discuss regularly with the judiciary and operational partners as we proceed with the rollout of section 28 for victims of sexual and modern slavery offences in all Crown Courts. As part of this monitoring activity, we are considering the effects on court recovery. We are also undertaking a process evaluation with victims and criminal justice practitioners who have used this provision, interim findings from which will help to inform rollout. We aim to publish the results of this in the autumn. The Criminal Courts—Listing in the Crown Court
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