Vulnerable Witnesses Within Family and Criminal Proceedings ― Protections, Safeguards and Sanctions

Vulnerable Witnesses within Family and Criminal Proceedings: Protections, Safeguards and Sanctions addresses both the legal consideration with respect to vulnerable people being able to provide evidence in proceedings, and the protections and special measures available not only while proceedings are ongoing but also both pre- and post-proceedings, including anonymity and protective orders. The main focus of the book is to give direct information as to the legislation, regulations and authorities which govern the treatment and examination of parties and witnesses who have difficulty understanding the cases in which they are involved. It provides practical guidance, helpful suggestions and a broad overview of likely improvements as practitioners become used to this new form of advocacy and representation. It is a one-stop practitioners' manual giving a general summary of the rights of witnesses and the duties of advocates in general, but also concentrates on the newly emerging approaches to witnesses and parties who are "vulnerable" by reason of age (children); emotional, psychological or psychiatric difficulty (all people); or circumstances (victims or witnesses in cases of organised or terrorist crime, domestic abuse or sexual offences). At the end of each chapter is a short quiz allowing the book to be used as part of the CPD requirements for both solicitors and barristers.

Frank Feehan QC Frank Feehan is a family law barrister at 1 King's Bench Walk and a Recorder in the Crown Court and County Court. Much of his work is in complex medical and sexual abuse cases involving children and learning-disabled adults. He also has a substantial appellate practice concentrating in "human rights" related elements of such cases. He has appeared in most of the major Supreme Court cases in family law in the last 5 years. He has appeared in the two main family law cases dealing with procedures for the instruction of intermediaries for the assistance of vulnerable witnesses and was credited (as counsel) with the first attempt to create guidelines for practitioners in this area. Caroline Harris Caroline Harris is a barrister at 1 King's Bench Walk and practices in family law and criminal law. Family Law Children: Advising and acting in both private and public law proceedings. Criminal Law: She acts for both the prosecution and the defence at all levels and has experience up to and including the Court of Appeal. Caroline has expertise in a broad range of criminal matters including fraud, offences against the person, sexual offences and road traffic offences (including death by dangerous and death by careless driving).