What is an intermediary?
Intermediaries work with witnesses who may experience communication difficulties if required to give evidence in court, for example people with autism, hearing impairments or learning difficulties.
Intermediaries are professionals from a range of backgrounds such as speech and language therapy, psychology and social work who can help witnesses give evidence in court.
They act as an independent go-between for the witness, helping them understand the questions they're being asked and assisting them in communicating their responses. Their role is to facilitate communications without changing the substance of the evidence.
Intermediaries can work with witnesses from when they give their initial statement to the police through to giving their evidence in court. They will assess the individual abilities and needs of the witness to determine how they communicate and their level of understanding, and advise CJS agencies on how to best question them and get their best evidence.
Back to 'Derbyshire CPS uses its first ever intermediary'