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Present:
Anne Keenan, Law Society
Frances Roberts, SCRA
Lindsey Anderson, COPFS
Clare Collin, SE Victims and Witnesses Unit ( VWU)
Apologies:
Rosemary Lester, VIA
Anne Houston, Childline
Dawn Laing, ACPOS
Jan McClory, Children 1 st
Philip Shearer, SLAB
Tom Murray, SLAB
1. Minutes of the previous meeting held on 18 th January 2005 were approved.
2. Development of Sub Set Group Guidance
a) Use of Prior Statements as Evidence in Chief
VWU gave members attending an update of the recent views from the Vulnerable Witnesses Implementation Steering Group on the use of prior statements as evidence in chief guidance. Members of the Steering Group felt that particular focus was needed to take forward the production of guidance on the use of prior statements. It was agreed that the remit of the sub set group was wide ranging. Bill Moore from the SE Victims and Witnesses Unit has therefore agreed to provide a first draft on guidance on the use of prior statements which will be circulated around members of the sub set group and the Lord President's Private Office for comments before sending out for wider consultation.
b) Use of screens
c) Use of a live television link
d) Identifying appropriate special measures for child witnesses
VWU referred members of the group to the draft guidance produced for b), c) and d) above.
Members were thanked for their contribution and asked to submit any further comments on the latest drafts produced.
A discussion around the draft guidance on identifying appropriate special measures arose. Members agreed this guidance needed quite a bit of further work.
Members agreed that the sub set group guidance from The Law Society, SCRA and COPFS will be made available electronically on the SE Vital Voices - Vulnerable Witnesses website for other practitioners to see. Web site links to be provided or disc with material in appropriate format.
The draft guidance will be put forward to the next Training and Communication sub group meeting, taking place on Friday 11 th February 2005.
3. A.O.B
None
4. Date of next meeting
Members felt that a further meeting would not be necessary and comments could be made via e-mail.
Victims and Witnesses Unit
February 2005