*/
Child witnesses in Crown Court sex abuse and violence cases are waiting for more than a year to give evidence, despite government promises to the contrary.
An NSPCC report, Measuring Up?, published in July showed Crown Court trials involving child witnesses take on average two months longer than other cases to come to trial, and more than a third are rescheduled more than once, adding to children’s anxiety. Researchers interviewed 182 children, aged between five to nineteen, parents and witness support professionals.
NSPCC lawyer Barbara Esam said: “Speeding up young witness cases has been government policy since 1988 and is frequently re-stated but has still not been achieved.”
The charity is calling on the government to enforce its policy of fast-tracking criminal cases involving young witnesses and to monitor delays.
An NSPCC report, Measuring Up?, published in July showed Crown Court trials involving child witnesses take on average two months longer than other cases to come to trial, and more than a third are rescheduled more than once, adding to children’s anxiety. Researchers interviewed 182 children, aged between five to nineteen, parents and witness support professionals.
NSPCC lawyer Barbara Esam said: “Speeding up young witness cases has been government policy since 1988 and is frequently re-stated but has still not been achieved.”
The charity is calling on the government to enforce its policy of fast-tracking criminal cases involving young witnesses and to monitor delays.
Child witnesses in Crown Court sex abuse and violence cases are waiting for more than a year to give evidence, despite government promises to the contrary.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Susie Griffin on the admin that keeps barristers from billable work
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
In an era of patient-centred care and growing concern over misconduct in medical settings, why do women still lack the right to choose women consultants for examination and treatment? Charles Davey investigates
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
