Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33)

Part III E+W Other Provisions about Evidence in Criminal Proceedings

[33A F1 Evidence given by children. E+W

(1) A child’s evidence in criminal proceedings shall be given unsworn.

(2) A deposition of a child’s unsworn evidence may be taken for the purposes of criminal proceedings as if that evidence had been given on oath.

F2 (2A) A child’s evidence shall be received unless it appears to the court that the child is incapable of giving intelligible testimony.]

(3) In this section “child” means a person under fourteen years of age.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 33A inserted (1.10.1992) by Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c. 53, SIF 39:1), s. 52(1); S.I. 1992/333, art. 2(2), Sch. 2.

F2 S. 33A(2A) inserted (3.2.1995) by 1994 c. 33, s. 168(1), Sch. 9 para.33; S.I. 1995/127, art. 2(1), Sch. 1, APPENDIX A