Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

special measures definition

What does special measures mean? Adjustments ordered by the court to help a vulnerable or intimidated witness give their best evidence and to minimise distress. Common measures are a screen between witness and defendant, live video link, video-recorded evidence-in-chief, pre-recorded cross-examination, an approved intermediary, communication aids, giving evidence in private, and removal of wigs and gowns. In England and Wales this statutory scheme is set out in the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 and implemented by a special measures direction. Northern Ireland has a parallel framework under the Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1999. Scotland provides equivalent “special measures” under the Criminal Procedure (Scotland)...

Live links and intermediaries for defendants: eligibility, case law and application procedure (England and Wales)

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Practice notes

The accused's eligibility for special measures

Under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (YJCEA 1999), the court may put in place a range of provisions to support vulnerable and intimidated witnesses so they can give their best evidence in court. These are termed special measures. For details on the special measures available to vulnerable and intimidated witnesses, see Practice Note: Special measures. The accused is generally excluded from entitlement to most special measures; however, the court does have the power to direct that a defendant give evidence by live link and to appoint an Intermediary to facilitate a defendant’s participation at trial. Criminal Procedure Rules 2025, SI 2025/909 (CrimPR 2025), r 3.3 imposes a duty on the prosecution and the defence to notify the court of any potential impediment to the defendant's effective participation in the trial. Practitioners should therefore remain alert to any matters affecting the defendant’s ability to engage effectively with the trial process and raise these with the court promptly.

Live links for the accused

The general Rules concerning the use of live links in the criminal courts apply to defendants just as they do to other witnesses and participants, without distinction or differential treatment...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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