Claiming CPS witness expenses

Witnesses may receive compensation for:

• Travelling expenses;
• Money spent on refreshments and meals;
• Financial loss (for example, loss of earnings);
• Other expense incurred (for example, childcare).

Other people, in certain circumstances, may receive allowances just like witnesses. Examples are:

• Parents accompanying child witnesses;
• People accompanying elderly or infirm witnesses;
• Witnesses and their companions attending court for the purposes of familiarisation visits.

How to claim expenses

Claiming at magistrates' courts

If you are due to go to a magistrates' court as a prosecution witness you may have received an expenses form with your notice to attend court. If you do not have a form, you can ask for one at court. You should send the completed claim form to the finance centre using the pre-paid envelope provided.

Claiming at Crown Courts

If you are attending a Crown Court as a prosecution witness you will be given an expenses form there by a member of the CPS staff. You should send the completed claim form to the finance centre using the pre-paid envelope provided.