Vulnerable child witness, Unfit witnesses, Cross border regulators
CHILD WITNESSES
The position concerning child witnesses is always a difficult one. An older child may undeniably be capable of giving reliable and cogent evidence in many cases. However, the process of giving evidence, especially the procedure of cross examination, can prove traumatic to a vulnerable child. There is good research evidence to show that adverse effects could befall some children if they are called to give evidence, especially in cases involving allegations of sexual abuse. A court is therefore required to exercise great caution before summoning a child witness. In LM (A Child) (2007) EWCA Civ 9, the Court of Appeal considered how a trial judge should deal with this issue.
L is 10 years of age. In May 2005, L’s mother alleged that L had been physically abused by her father when drunk. When interviewed by the police in the presence of a social worker L had alleged that her father had physically and sexually abused her and also that he had been violent to her mother. The mother had confirmed these allegations. L had
