Court Based Witness Service
Meet the Market Event
Royal Courts of Justice
2 June 2014
Introductions
Tony Rafter
Nationally Commissioned Services for Victims and Witnesses
Bridghe Forde
MoJ Procurement
Today
10.30 Registration
11.00 Background
11.20 Key Requirements
11.40 Process and Timelines
11.50 Question and Answer session
12.30 End
Background
•“Getting it Right for Victims and Witnesses”
•Code of Practice for Victims of Crime
•Witness Charter
“Getting it Right for Victims and Witnesses”
In July 2010, the Government response to the public consultation
said that it would introduce a mixed model of national and local
commissioning for
victims’ support services.
Police and Crime Commissioners will be responsible for
commissioning the majority of services for victims locally.
One of the services which would be commissioned nationally was
the witness service.
Victims Code
Sets out entitlements that witnesses can receive:
•special measures to help vulnerable or intimidated witnesses give their best evidence in
court e.g :
- screens
- live video link
- evidence in private for cases involving sexual offences, modern slavery
-video-recorded statements
• assistance from Registered Intermediaries for vulnerable witnesses
Witness Charter
Sets out the standards of care and help both prosecution and
defence witnesses of crime or incident can expect at every
stage of the process from the Witness Service:
•practical and emotional support with Service staff and volunteers present in every Crown
Court centre and magistrates’ court ;
•independent, impartial, confidential service, treating witnesses with respect and
understanding;
•support witnesses with any anxieties about appearing in court;
•answer witnesses’ questions or refer to someone who can;
•help with court procedure and layout;
•specific help with arrangements for appearance in the witness box or in the live TV link
room;
•post trial support: referral of witnesses to relevant support agencies.
Key Requirements
Court Based Witness Service
Provision of information, emotional and practical support to
individuals preparing to, and attending, criminal courts as
witnesses
Prosecution and defence witnesses
Facts and Figures
•
310 criminal courts
- Crown Court
- Magistrates Courts
- Youth Courts
•
Divided into 8 HMCS Regions
•
42 CJS areas
•
Links to police/CPS Witness Care Units
Facts and Figures
Witnesses Supported:
2010-11
268,000
2011-12
240,000
2012-13
204,000
Processes
Apply for Special
Measure and
Confirm to
Witness if granted
Explain court
setup and
proceedings or
refer to WS and
offer PTV*
Details of
trial date and
place
Meet
witness at
court
Apply to Court and
confirm to WCU
Identified
as a
Witness
Individual
circumstances
and “needs” to
be considered
(ongoing)
Confirm
Charging
Decision
LWAC
If prosecution witness
If reported to police, statement
taken, including initial needs
assessment
Confirm
Prosecution
Decision
Know what’s
happening with
the case
Needs assessed,
including whether
special measures
required
Give updates
on case
progress as
required
Full Needs
Assessment
Know whether
they will be
required to
attend court
Know whether
Special Measures
have been granted
(if required)
Know what to
expect at court
Know when
and where to
attend
Receive
effective
support
before and
at Court
Other single point of
contact may be:
Police FLO; ISVA/IDVA;
Solicitor, or another
nominated party.
Confirm whether
Witness to be
called
Special Measures
Application
Outcome
Identify developing needs
before and at court. Refer to
local service providers if
unable to meet specific
needs
Refer to
WS;
offer
PTV*
Provide
information and
support; conduct
PTV* if wanted
Details of
trial date
and place
Prosecution Witness
Provide
support
before and at
Court
CPS informed of outcome of application
for Special Measures by court
Confirm
whether
Witness to
be called
CPS
Police
Witness
need
Other SPC
Witness
Care Unit
Witness
Service
Confirm
whether
Witness to be
called
Needs
Assessment
Court
Give updates on
case progress as
required
WS notified by Court if Adminstrative
application made for Special
Measures
Defence
The Witness Journey
If defence
witness, make
arrangements
to update
witness
If needs
identified
Receive a thank
you and an
explanation of
the outcome of
the trial
Receive
ongoing
support if
needed
If prosecution
witness,
contact after
trial has
finished
Identify
ongoing or
needs as a
result of
trial and
refer to
local
service
provider if
required
Outputs
The service provider will be required to report regularly against
robust output measures, including:
•The number and type of witnesses being supported;
•The types of support provided;
•The numbers of staff and volunteers delivering the service.
[We will work with the successful bidder to develop robust KPIs.]
Outcomes
The overall outcome of the Witness Service is:
• to enable witnesses to give their best evidence.
By providing effective emotional and practical support, witnesses
can better cope with giving evidence
When witnesses can give their best evidence, the criminal justice
system as a whole benefits.
Grant Award
MoJ is inviting bids for a grant of up to £12m per annum for the
provision of a court based witness service
The grant award will be for the period from 1 April 2015 to 31
March 2017;
Possibility of extension for a further year
The Competitive Process

One Stage Evaluation Approach
 Grant process
 No Pre-Qualification Questionnaire Stage
 Presentations

Seeking to appoint one provider

MoJ’s eSourcing Portal ‘Emptoris’
 All correspondence, apart from initial expression of interest
Current Timescales (NOTE- Indicative Only)
Step
Date - indicative
Meet the Market Event
02 June 2014
Advert on Contracts Finder
20 June 2014
Submit proposals
31 July 2014
Presentations by Shortlist
01 Sept 2014
Award
End Oct 2014
Go-Live
01 Apr 2015
Next Steps

Start making alliances if you need a supply chain

Look out for advert on Contracts Finder
https://online.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/

Have a look at Emptoris guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/181785/
moj-supplier-guide.pdf

Once you see advert contact the named buyer who will ‘invite’ you to the ‘event’
QUESTIONS