The Intermediary role
A recording of IfJ's Taster Session 2026, ‘An Introduction to working as an Intermediary’, giving attendees an insight into the work of intermediaries and how a professional becomes an intermediary.
This section of our website provides information on the Intermediary Role. Whether you are a newly appointed intermediary or a seasoned professional, you will find valuable guidance and support here. This section also provides a useful precis for other legal professionals on the role of an Intermediary.
The Intermediary role is a vital function within the justice system, designed to provide communication support and assistance to vulnerable witnesses. Intermediaries play a crucial role in ensuring that vulnerable individuals can effectively participate in the legal process.
Who are intermediaries? This PDF provides information on the role of the Intermediary, including information on communication assessment and information gathering, the use of communication aids, planning and assisting at interviews, planning for trial and the intermediary role during trials.
A visual flowchart illustrating the role of the intermediary, including who they work with, how they plan for and assist at interviews and during trials and assessing and sourcing intermediaries.
A flowchart guiding users on the correct route to use to request an intermediary.
This 9 minute video provides an introduction to the role of intermediaries, their importance in proceedings, and the positive effect they have in enabling the participation of vulnerable people.
These case studies illustrate the valuable work of Intermediaries in the justice system. The case studies provide real, anonymised, examples to demonstrate a wide variety of approaches and techniques, including simplified language, visual aids, and tailored questioning strategies. Collectively, they show how intermediaries drive changes that enable vulnerable people to understand and participate meaningfully in legal proceedings.
In this report, the Victims Commissioner, Baroness Newlove, paints a comprehensive picture of the scheme, its unique role in facilitating communication with children and vulnerable adults in the justice system, and identifies key factors impeding its effective operation.
Some judges now ask, given the overall shortage of registered intermediaries, whether their presence during questioning is always necessary. In this article, 10 registered intermediaries discuss the benefits of their presence in facilitating communication that may not always be apparent to those in the courtroom.
A consolidated list of intermediary examples.
This unique book provides a comprehensive explanation of how intermediaries work in practice and gives ‘behind the scenes’ insights into the criminal process. It will be of interest to practitioners and the wider public in England and Wales and encourage consideration of the scheme elsewhere.
A Powerpoint PDF and video recording covering the role of an intermediary and legal context, intermediaries in legal settings, their professional responsibilities, work in practice, key differences between RIs and ISVAs, case studies and Intermediaries and ISVAs working together.
The video recording is from IfJ's 'ISVAs and RIs working together' CPD course 2025 and the PDF is the accompanying powerpoint to this presentation. The first 35 minutes of the recording is Dr Tina Pereira's presentation, followed by 'The Role of the ISVA' by Jamie Allison.
A research project looking at how ISVAs fit in the current criminal justice system and how we can better support and raise awareness of the ISVA role. This Powerpoint PDF includes the context and background to the research project, observed similarities and differences between ISVAs and RIs and case studies.
The video recording is of Zoe Mitchell presenting at IfJ's 'ISVAs and RIs working together'CPD course 2025 and the PDF is the accompanying presentation.
Susan Stewart reflects on her RI practice in working with ISVAs/ChISVAs and vulnerable witnesses, considering relevant RI and ISVA documents.
The video recording is from IfJ's ISVAs and RIs working together CPD course 2025. The PDF is the accompanying powerpoint to the presentation.
A case study covering the identification of support needs, support plan, Pre Section 28, RI assessment and court report, pre trial court visit, the evidence review and the benefits and challenges.
The video recording is from IfJ's 'ISVAs and RIs working together'CPD course 2025 and the PDF is the accompanying powerpoint to this presentation.
Course Link
Ruth Afako and Rebecca Ridgeway's presentation starts at 26 minutes 30 seconds in to the recording. Before this, Zoe Mitchell is presenting 'Focus on Intermediaries: Role, professional responsibilities and practice'.
The video recording is from IfJ's 'ISVAs and RIs working together' CPD course 2025 and the PDF is the accompanying powerpoint to this presentation.
Jamie Allison from Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland covers key developments, core elements of the ISVA role, what an ISVA does and does not do, ISVA's in practice and a case study.
Jamie Allison's presentation starts 35 minutes in to the recording. Before this, Dr Tina Pereira is presenting 'Focus on Intermediaries: Role, professional responsibilities and practice'.