Course Overview
This course is aimed at anyone dealing with people who struggle to communicate effectively in court –through age, disability or other conditions. It will also useful for police station representatives who will encounter such people at the police station and those taking instructions in the office to prepare cases.
This course identifies the Practice Directions, Criminal Procedure Rules and case law governing vulnerable defendants and witnesses and will consider the following:
- Establishing a level playing field for the vulnerable party
- The Advocates’ Toolkits- essential reading for all advocates
- Case management
- Competence
- Useful case law
- Preparing the trial
- Protecting the vulnerable party at trial
- What could possibly go wrong?
What are the requirements?
- This course provides 0.5 – 1 CPD point (depending on length of time spent considering the discussion questions and completing the evaluation form)
- Watch 20 minute recorded webinar, including reference notes, discussion questions and optional evaluation form to test your legal knowledge
Learning Outcomes
- On completion of this course you will: Be able to identify people who are covered by the Practice Directions on vulnerable defendants and witnesses; Know where to find the law, cases and procedural rules Know what directions are needed at the first hearing Dealing with non-compliance Identify whether an intermediary is needed and whether you will get one Gain an understanding of what is involved in examining or cross-examining such a person Know what can go wrong and how to manage it Protect the client or witness from unacceptable questioning
What is the target audience?
- This course is suitable for advocates of all levels
