Our Pre-trial Witness Support Service is for people attending court to give evidence in a criminal trial. It’s available for prosecution and defence witnesses at both Crown and Magistrates’ Courts.
This includes if the crime happened to you, or if you saw the crime happen.
We can also help you if you’re going to court but not giving evidence. Visit our Going to Court page.
How does the Pre-Trial Witness Support Service work?
If you’re attending court to give evidence in a criminal trial, we can support you.
Our support is individual to you. We’ll work with you to understand your safety and your individual needs.
Depending on your situation, we can help by:
- ensuring you’re aware of your rights as a victim or witness, as detailed in the Victims’ Code and the Witness Charter;
- providing you with information about what will happen on the day;
- showing you images or video of the court, or helping you visit before the day;
- arranging any extra support you might need to give evidence; and
- listening to any worries you have, and helping you feel comfortable.
A trained support worker will ask you some questions, so that we can understand your needs, and then discuss how we can support you.
More about this service
After speaking with you to understand the support you need, we can help you with:
- arranging a visit to the court before the day of the trial
- removing any barriers stopping you from being able to attend;
- making a plan for the day, before and after;
- assistance travelling to and from court;
- arranging safe meeting points and special court access;
- applying for Special Measures, such as a screen or curtain;
- support for any around potential media reporting; and
- police support, if you’re being intimidated.
If you need support after the trial, we can help you with:
- claiming for travel and loss of earnings expenses;
- information about claiming for criminal injuries compensation;
- understanding the Victim Contact Scheme, where you may be able to talk to the victim of the crime;
- accessing the Restorative Justice Service, where you may be able to speak with the offender;
- ongoing support as you move on from the trial; and
- accessing other support services.
To get support from us, you can:
- Call us: 0808 168 9291;
- Start a live chat; or
- Fill in our online form.
Further information about contacting us can be found here.
A trained support worker will guide you through how support works, and ask you some questions, so that we can understand your needs.
Learn more about how we can support you.
View our frequently asked questions
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Other services
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Learn more about how we can support you. View our frequently asked questions.
Contact us
There are three ways you can contact us directly.
0808 168 9291
00:00 – 00:00, Mon – Sun.
