Camberwell Witness Service
 


If you are going to Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court as a witness or victim, you can email mcws.camberwellgreen@vslondon.org

or phone 020 7805 9956 for advice, support and information, or you can contact Court switchboard on 0845 601 3600

Help from the Witness Service

Information and for witnesses called to give evidence

Location and transport information

Volunteering

 


Going to court to give evidence can be a frightening experience.

  • You might have questions about what to expect from giving evidence in a trial.

  • You might be afraid of not understanding the legal jargon in court. 

  • You might fear having to talk about a difficult experience in front of a group of strangers while facing the accused for the first time. 

  • You might find it difficult to speak in public. 

The Witness Service has a team of volunteers who support witnesses as they go to court to give evidence. 

There are Witness Services in every Crown Court and Magistrates' Court across England and Wales.  


The Witness Service can help you if you are: 

  • A prosecution witness or a victim giving evidence

  • A defence witness

  • A victim who may not be called as a witness

  • A family member or friend of a witness or victim going to court

  • A professional accompanying a witness (e.g. teacher or social worker)

The support we offer includes: 

  • A pre-trial information pack

  • A pre-trial visit to the court including a visit to a courtroom

  • Somebody to talk to in confidence, though not about evidence

  • Information about court procedures

  • A safe room to wait in away from the court concourse

  • Someone to accompany you into the courtroom

  • Preparation for a possible verdict and an opportunity to talk about the experience of giving evidence following the case

  • Advice on eligibility for special measures e.g. housing, bullying issues

  • Practical help (e.g. with expense claims)

  • Help to access results of the hearing

  • A point of contact with the court, police, CPS

It does not include: 

  • legal advice

  • discussion of any details of the case before you give evidence


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