Court reports and resources

The Magistrates Association (MA) were given a grant of £8,000 from the Somerset Community Justice Partnership, in order to create a set of training resources that support magistrates in engaging with victims of crime and to encourage a more positive and supportive environment within the magistrates’ court.

The report is set out in three sections: firstly, looking at what the current positives and negatives of attending court are, then looking at ways in which this experience can be improved, and finally, honing in on what changes magistrates can put in place to result in a better experiences for victims.

Witnesses and the Crown Court - Teesside

This resource pack provides general background information about court and shows a witness where they will give their evidence at Teeside court, using graphics and clear descriptions.

Exploring the use of Cognitive interviewing and other special measures in questioning vulnerable witnesses in preparation for court - Dissertation Summary

The Cognitive Interview (CI) is one of the Special Measures used during police interviews as part of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 in Achieving Best Evidence (ABE). This exploratory, qualitative study explored the use of the Cognitive Interview and other Special Measures being used to support Vulnerable Witnesses in preparing for court and in a court of law.

Exploring the use of Cognitive interviewing and other special measures in questioning vulnerable witnesses in preparation for court: Full Dissertation

This disseration explores the use of the Cognitive Interview and other Special Measures being used to support Vulnerable Witnesses in preparing for court and in a court of law.

The Victim Personal Statement Pack - Print version

This pack includes resources to assist professionals who need to gain a victim personal statement from a witness. This resource will help a victim understand what a Victim Personal Statement (VPS) is, plan for and then give their VPS. It includes visual resources to assist both adult witnesses with reasonable verbal and written communication skills, and also children, young people and vulnerable adults with a communication need. This is a print version. There is also a print version. This resource was funded by the Office of the Police Crime and Victims’ Commissioner-Durham, March 2020. The resource author is Susan Stewart (Speech and Language Therapist, Registered Intermediary).

Witnesses and the Magistrates Court - Newton Aycliffe

These resource packs provides general background information about court and shows a witness where they will give their evidence to at Newton Aycliffe's court, using graphics and clear descriptions.

Witnesses and the Magistrates Court - Peterlee

These resource packs provides general background information about court and show a witness the court they will give their evidence to, using graphics and clear descriptions.

Witnesses and the Magistrates Court - Teesside

These resource packs provide general background information about court and show a witness the court they will give their evidence to, using graphics and clear descriptions.

Witnesses and the Crown Court - Newcastle

This resource pack provides general background information about court and shows a witness where they will give their evidence at Newcastle Magistrate's court, using graphics and clear descriptions

Witnesses and the Crown Court - Durham

These resource packs provides general background information about court and show a witness the court they will give their evidence to, using graphics and clear descriptions.

The Victim Personal Statement Pack - Interactive version

This pack includes resources to assist professionals who need to gain a victim personal statement from a witness. This resource will help a victim understand what a Victim Personal Statement (VPS) is, plan for and then give their VPS. It includes visual resources to assist both adult witnesses with reasonable verbal and written communication skills, and also children, young people and vulnerable adults with a communication need. This is an interactive version. There is also a print version. This resource was funded by the Office of the Police Crime and Victims’ Commissioner-Durham, March 2020. The resource author is Susan Stewart (Speech and Language Therapist, Registered Intermediary).