The Magistrates' Courts (Special Measures Directions) Rules 2002

Application for special measures direction for witness to give evidence by means of a live television link

7.—(1) Where the application for a special measures direction is made, in accordance with rule 2(2)(a) above, for a witness to give evidence by means of a live link, the following provisions of this rule shall also apply.

(2) A party who seeks to oppose an application for a child witness to give evidence by means of a live link must, in order to comply with rule 2(5) above, state why in his view the giving of a special measures direction would not be likely to maximise the quality of the witness’s evidence.

(3) However, paragraph (2) above does not apply in relation to a child witness in need of special protection within the meaning of section 21(1)(b) of the Act.

(4) Where a special measures direction is made enabling a witness to give evidence by means of a live link, the witness shall be accompanied at the live link only by persons acceptable to the court.