Afternoon!

I'm meant to be appearing as a witness at a Crown Court later this year.
Unfortunately, the court is nearly a hundred miles away from where I
live. I've been told that they'll try to 'get round to me' on the first
day of the trial, but it's not guaranteed.

While I don't mind the expense of taking the day off (I'm self-employed)
and driving there and back on one day, it becomes a lot more intrusive
and problematic if I'll be required to attend on more than one day.
Realistically I'd be needing accommodation in the area if this were to
occur.

If you're called upon to be a witness, is there any general expectation
that accommodation / travelling costs will be covered by the Court or
the party you're being a witness for? If so, does anyone know how I'd go
about claiming?

Cheers
Terry

I'm meant to be appearing as a witness at a Crown Court later this year.
Unfortunately, the court is nearly a hundred miles away from where I
live. I've been told that they'll try to 'get round to me' on the first
day of the trial, but it's not guaranteed.

While I don't mind the expense of taking the day off (I'm self-employed)
and driving there and back on one day, it becomes a lot more intrusive
and problematic if I'll be required to attend on more than one day.
Realistically I'd be needing accommodation in the area if this were to
occur.

If you're called upon to be a witness, is there any general expectation
that accommodation / travelling costs will be covered by the Court or
the party you're being a witness for? If so, does anyone know how I'd go
about claiming?

Expenses are payable, but to find out what applies in your case contact the
court straight away.

"News Admin" wrote in message
...
Afternoon!

I'm meant to be appearing as a witness at a Crown Court later this year.
Unfortunately, the court is nearly a hundred miles away from where I
live. I've been told that they'll try to 'get round to me' on the first
day of the trial, but it's not guaranteed.

While I don't mind the expense of taking the day off (I'm self-employed)
and driving there and back on one day, it becomes a lot more intrusive
and problematic if I'll be required to attend on more than one day.
Realistically I'd be needing accommodation in the area if this were to
occur.

If you're called upon to be a witness, is there any general expectation
that accommodation / travelling costs will be covered by the Court or
the party you're being a witness for? If so, does anyone know how I'd go
about claiming?

Cheers
Terry

The court office/staff will advise you with claims for expenses.
In the meantime take a look at the CPS site;
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/section16/chapter_j.html

Joe Lee

Joe Lee wrote:
"News Admin" wrote in message
...

Afternoon!

I'm meant to be appearing as a witness at a Crown Court later this year.
Unfortunately, the court is nearly a hundred miles away from where I
live. I've been told that they'll try to 'get round to me' on the first
day of the trial, but it's not guaranteed.

snip


The court office/staff will advise you with claims for expenses.
In the meantime take a look at the CPS site;
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/section16/chapter_j.html

Joe Lee

Very handy! Thanks to both Joe and Bystander for the info.

Terry

On Mon, 7 Mar 2005 21:45:10 +0000, "Joe Lee"
wrote:


"News Admin" wrote in message
...
Afternoon!

I'm meant to be appearing as a witness at a Crown Court later this year.
Unfortunately, the court is nearly a hundred miles away from where I
live. I've been told that they'll try to 'get round to me' on the first
day of the trial, but it's not guaranteed.

While I don't mind the expense of taking the day off (I'm self-employed)
and driving there and back on one day, it becomes a lot more intrusive
and problematic if I'll be required to attend on more than one day.
Realistically I'd be needing accommodation in the area if this were to
occur.

If you're called upon to be a witness, is there any general expectation
that accommodation / travelling costs will be covered by the Court or
the party you're being a witness for? If so, does anyone know how I'd go
about claiming?

Cheers
Terry

The court office/staff will advise you with claims for expenses.
In the meantime take a look at the CPS site;
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/section16/chapter_j.html

But note that that is relevant only to *prosecution* witnesses in
cases conducted by the CPS. Payment of prosecution witnesses is
entirely the prosecutor's responsibility. Witnesses for the defence
are paid by the court (assuming the defendant is legally aided, which
almost all Crown Court defendants are). If the defence solicitor
doesn't give you a claim form, you can get one from the court office.

In either case, accomodation and travel costs are normally paid in
full, or using a standard milage rate if you use your own car, but
compensation for your time is limited to *actual* loss of earnings.
You cannot claim an hourly rate if self-employed.

--
Don Aitken

Mail to the addresses given in the headers is no longer being
read. To mail me, substitute "clara.co.uk" for "freeuk.com".

"Don Aitken" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 7 Mar 2005 21:45:10 +0000, "Joe Lee"
wrote:
....

But note that that is relevant only to *prosecution* witnesses in
cases conducted by the CPS. Payment of prosecution witnesses is
entirely the prosecutor's responsibility. Witnesses for the defence
are paid by the court (assuming the defendant is legally aided, which
almost all Crown Court defendants are). If the defence solicitor
doesn't give you a claim form, you can get one from the court office.

I would simply add that there is an organisation staffed by volunteers
called "The Witness Service" at most if not all crown courts and many
magistrates. They assist any and all witnesses to court proceedings whether
the witness is for the defence or the prosecution. Regardless of the court
I've found them to be a bunch of exceptionally helpful people, they will
help with the completion of the various claim forms and I'd recommend them
to anyone.

--

regards or otherwise,

Periander

Periander. wrote:
snip
I would simply add that there is an organisation staffed by volunteers
called "The Witness Service" at most if not all crown courts and many
magistrates. They assist any and all witnesses to court proceedings whether
the witness is for the defence or the prosecution. Regardless of the court
I've found them to be a bunch of exceptionally helpful people, they will
help with the completion of the various claim forms and I'd recommend them
to anyone.


I think that you may mean "Witness Support", part of Victim
Support - a UK charity. www.victimsupport.org

Although most of the actual support is given by trained (and
usually very experienced) volunteers, each court typically
has a paid local manager running things and reporting to a
senior manager, usually in the Victim Support Area Office.
Some places have the paid manager based in either the
magistrates court or crown court and spending time in each
and/or the local manager is part time. It is best to give
them a ring to make an appointment - just to make sure that
they will be there.

--

Sue

"Palindrâ~»me" wrote in message
...
Periander. wrote:
snip
I would simply add that there is an organisation staffed by volunteers
called "The Witness Service" at most if not all crown courts and many
magistrates. They assist any and all witnesses to court proceedings
whether
the witness is for the defence or the prosecution. Regardless of the
court
I've found them to be a bunch of exceptionally helpful people, they will
help with the completion of the various claim forms and I'd recommend
them
to anyone.


I think that you may mean "Witness Support", part of Victim
Support - a UK charity. www.victimsupport.org

Yes, apologies for confusion, in the various offices I've worked in we've
tended to refer to them as "The Witness Service" and several local courts
have their offices labelled the same way. we are talking about the same
thing and the recommendation remains the same.

--

Periander

I would simply add that there is an organisation staffed by volunteers
called "The Witness Service" at most if not all crown courts and many
magistrates. They assist any and all witnesses to court proceedings
whether
the witness is for the defence or the prosecution. Regardless of the court
I've found them to be a bunch of exceptionally helpful people, they will
help with the completion of the various claim forms and I'd recommend them
to anyone.

They do a first class job in my court. The volunteers include a former court
usher and several former magistrates.

On Wed, 9 Mar 2005 13:55:11 +0000, "Bystander"
wrote:

I would simply add that there is an organisation staffed by volunteers
called "The Witness Service" at most if not all crown courts and many
magistrates. They assist any and all witnesses to court proceedings
whether
the witness is for the defence or the prosecution. Regardless of the court
I've found them to be a bunch of exceptionally helpful people, they will
help with the completion of the various claim forms and I'd recommend them
to anyone.

They do a first class job in my court. The volunteers include a former court
usher and several former magistrates.

I agree - I just think that's a poor show that a fairly crucial part of
the criminal justice system is a voluntary organisation.

As stated they do an excellent job but with increased emphasis on
witness care it shouldn't be left in such a perilous situation i.e.
dependant on time donated by others.

Nigel
--
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