Crime victims to get help coping with hostile lawyers in court

An excellent article by Frances Gibb in the Times 19 January 2015 (www.thetimes.co.uk page 6) tells us about the proposal that victims will be briefed on how to give their evidence when being cross-examined by the accused’s lawyers.

The danger in this is coaching. It is very easy to cross the line especially if one lacks experience. There will be huge pressure on these “experts” to respond to “How should I answer that ?” and this must be resisted.

It is quite legitimate to inform witnesses of the layout of the courtroom, what sort of questions are likely to be asked, e.g. about alleged victims sexual history, provocative clothing, alcohol consumption etc. but it must stop there.

Rehearsing is specifically prohibited. And could amount to a criminal offence perverting the course of justice. The position in the United States is quite different, and a district attorney there would fail in his duty if he did not coach and rehearse.

If you are a crime victim in a sexual case, or have been accused of a crime involving a sexual nature, take expert advice.

Hylton-Potts, London lawyers offer highly competitive fixed fees and are one of the few lawyers who do fixed fees in criminal cases. That means no matter how long the case lasts, you will have a top private barrister to take you all the way through right to the end.

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