From the government website.

Before the trial 

If you’re a victim of crime or a witness for the prosecution, a ‘witness care officer’ will tell you which court to go to, and when to go there.

If you’re a witness for the defence, the defence lawyer will tell you when you have to go to court.

You’ll usually be given a fixed date to go to court.

Sometimes you’ll be given a 2-to-4-week period that you’ll need to keep free – this is known as a ‘warned period’ or ‘floating trial’. If this happens, you’ll be given 1 working days’ notice before you are due to go to court.

You must tell your witness care officer or the defence lawyer straight away if you cannot make the date of the trial.

Help getting to the court

There’s different support if you’re going to court as a witness in Scotland or going to court as a witness in Northern Ireland.

You’re a victim or prosecution witness

Ask the witness care officer for help if you cannot easily travel to court. They might be able to provide transport.

You might be able to give evidence through a video link if you live far away from the court, or find it very difficult to get there. Ask your witness care officer if this is available.

You’re a defence witness

Speak to the defence lawyer if you need help with getting to court.

You might be able to give evidence through a video link if you live far away from the court or find it very difficult to get there. Ask the defence lawyer if this is possible.

Help in the courtroom if you have a disability

Check which facilities are available in the court you’re going to.

If you might need extra help, speak to:

• your witness care officer, if you’re a victim or prosecution witness

• the defence lawyer, if you’re a defence witness.

They should make sure you have the support you need, for example:

• ramps or access to accessible toilets

• a hearing loop

• a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter

• forms in large print

• guidance in audio or easy read formats.

Translators

If you do not understand English, you can usually get someone to translate or interpret the trial for free. Ask the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to arrange a translator if you’re a victim or prosecution witness.

If you’re a defence witness, ask the defence lawyer whether you can get a translator.

Help preparing to give evidence

You can get help to prepare for the trial, either as a victim or as a witness.

If you live in London, contact Victim Support.

If you live outside of London, contact the Citizens Advice Witness Service.

You can also ask to be referred to these organisations by:

• your witness care officer, if you’re a victim or prosecution witness

• the defence lawyer, if you’re a defence witness.

These organisations can:

• show you around the court so you know what to expect on the day (sometimes called a pre-trial visit)

• explain the court process and who’s who in the courtroom

• come to your home or anywhere you feel safe to answer your questions.

On the day of the trial, you’ll be offered support from the Citizens Advice Witness Service, even if Victim Support helped you before the trial.

The day of the trial

When you arrive at the court, you’ll need to go through security. Tell the security staff who you are and that you’re a witness or victim. Someone from the Citizens Advice Witness Service will take you to a waiting area if they are available.

Waiting to give evidence

If you’re a victim or prosecution witness, there will usually be a separate room where you can wait so you do not meet the defendant or their family and friends.

If there is not a separate area, speak to court staff – they can make sure you’re safe.

If anyone tries to intimidate you, tell the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), your solicitor or the court staff – they’ll report it to the police.

You might have to wait a long time before you’re asked to go into the courtroom to give evidence. You might not even have to go in at all, for example, if the defendant changes their plea to guilty.

Childcare

If you bring a child with you, make sure you also bring someone who can take care of them when you’re in the courtroom.

Help and support on the day

Someone from the Citizens Advice Witness Service will be at the court, and can:

• go with you when you give evidence

• support you on the day the verdict and sentence are decided if you’re in court

• listen to your concerns in private (but they cannot discuss details of the case).

You’ll also have someone who will translate or interpret the trial if you arranged it beforehand.

Young witnesses (under-18s)

Talk to the police or child witness care officer if you have concerns about your child. For example, if they’ll need to take breaks or need any help giving evidence.

Read the full guidance on how to prepare your child for court and special measures that are available.

Young witnesses can get support and find out what to expect at court from:

• guidance for 5–11-year-olds

• guidance for 12–17-year-olds

• the Citizens Advice Witness Service

• Childline

• NSPCC Young Witness Service.

After you give evidence

Citizens Advice have more information about what happens after you’ve given evidence.