Victims Information

Witnesses

If you're a victim of crime and the defendant pleads not guilty you may have to be a witness at the trial. You can also be a witness if you're not a victim of the offence but are involved in some way.

Witnesses do not need their own lawyer - the prosecutor will present the case to the court. There are services available to support you in court.

If you're called as a witness, you'll be given a letter called a summons. It will tell you when and where the court case is going to be held. You should check these details with the officer in charge closer to the date to make sure nothing has changed.

Witnesses’ expenses

Expenses can be paid to witnesses to cover some of the costs of attending court to give evidence. Speak to the officer in charge about how to claim these expenses.

This section has more information on:

• giving evidence, including different ways that you can give evidence
• what the court can do to protect your privacy
• support for child witnesses.

You can also watch a short video about what to expect if you are a witness.

Last modified: 3rd August 2016 Print