Intermediaries in the Criminal Justice System: Improving Communication for Vulnerable Witnesses and Defendants

This is the first book about the intermediary scheme, criminal justice’s untold ‘good news story’. Intermediaries are independent communication specialists who assist children and vulnerable adults at police interviews and trials, helping to improve the quality of their evidence and providing access to justice for those who previously had been excluded. Richly illustrated with case examples through intermediaries’ own descriptions of their work, the book also includes feedback from justice system personnel and over 70 judges.

This unique book provides a comprehensive explanation of how intermediaries work in practice and gives ‘behind the scenes’ insights into the criminal process. It will be of interest to practitioners and the wider public in England and Wales and encourage consideration of the scheme elsewhere.

Joyce Plotnikoff DBE has conducted vulnerable witness research for over 20 years. She is a lawyer, social worker and expert adviser to the Judicial College. She co-founded www.theadvocatesgateway.org, launched in 2013.

Richard Woolfson has conducted vulnerable witness research for over 20 years. He started out as a mathematician and was formerly a magistrate; member of the Civil Justice Council’s Access to Justice subgroup; and chair of his local Courts Board and Crown Prosecution Service Local Scrutiny Involvement Panel. He co-founded www.theadvocatesgateway.org, launched in 2013.