Brings into force on 27 June 2011 certain provisions of the Coronersand Justice Act 2009, which:
- amend provisions in the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999in relation to special measures for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses;
- extend automatic eligibility for special measures to witnesses under the age of 18 (as opposed to 17);
- extend automatic eligibility for special measures to witnesses of certain gun and knife crimes listed in the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, Sch 1A;
- make provision to allow child witnesses to opt-out of the primary rule in the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, s 21, which concerns the giving of evidence in chief by video recorded statement and further evidence by live link;
- make special provision for complainants of sexual offences tried in the Crown Court;
- provide for the presence of a supporter when a witness is giving evidence by live link;
- relax the restrictions on a witness giving additional evidence in chief following admission of the witness’s video-recorded statement;
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