New laws designed to make it easier for children and vulnerable people to give evidence in court came into force today.

The changes, contained in amendments to the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, provide a range of special measures which the court can direct in order to assist vulnerable and intimidated witnesses to give their best evidence in court.

At present vulnerable and intimidated witnesses can apply to: give their evidence in court from behind a screen; give evidence by live-link or in private; give video recorded evidence in chief; and to have an intermediary to assist them.

The rule changes will make all witnesses and victims under 18, and all witnesses in gun and knife crime cases, automatically eligible to apply for special measures when giving their evidence.

Child witnesses (those under 18) will be able to opt out of giving video-recorded evidence and give their evidence live in court.

Victims of rape and serious sexual offences will automatically be given the opportunity to give their evidence via video-recorded statements, extending the right previously limited to child witnesses.

Justice minister for victims, Crispin Blunt, said: ‘We are working to ensure that everything is done to support children and vulnerable victims and witnesses in court.

‘While it is right that they give evidence only when absolutely necessary in the interests of justice, it is sometimes unavoidable.

'The criminal justice process can be intimidating and these new measures will help make this often difficult experience a little easier.’