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<p>As part of its Transforming the CJS strategy and action plan (June 2013), the Ministry of Justice has committed to improving the consistency and take-up of special measures for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses, including witnesses to violent crime, to improve witness engagement with the criminal justice system. Some of the special measures include giving evidence behind a screen in court or from outside the courtroom via live video link, or in private in cases where the witness might be intimidated in court.</p><p>The Ministry is reviewing the Witness Charter, a document that lays out the standards of care that all witnesses can expect to receive from service providers. Witnesses to serious crimes can expect to receive additional</p><p>services, such as regular police updates and fixed dates for trials. Last month we also launched a new United Kingdom Protected Person Service to provide a better coordinated and accountable service for protected person, including witnesses, where there is a risk to life.</p> |