Moved by
Baroness Howe of Idlicote
144: After Clause 69, insert the following new Clause—
“Giving evidence at remote sites
In the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, after section 30 (aids to communcation) insert—
“30A Giving evidence at remote sites
(1) A special measures direction may provide for persons eligible for assistance under section 16 (witness eligible for assistance on grounds of age or incapacity) to give evidence at a remote site.
(2) For the purposes of this section, any facility may be designated as a remote site where the court is satisfied that all of the following criteria have been met—
(a) the facility must be suitable for hearing evidence;
(b) the facility must be absent from the court building;
(c) the location of the facility must be appropriate to meet the needs and promote the welfare of the witness; and
(d) the arrangement must not prevent the witness from being able to see, and to be seen by—
(i) the judge or justices (or both) and the jury (if there is one);
(ii) legal representatives acting in the proceedings; and
(iii) any interpreter or other person appointed (in pursuance of the direction or otherwise) to assist the witness.””