Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2022 to Question 132269, on Courts, if he will provide details of the courts in England that do not have separate entrances for victims and witnesses.

Safety and protection of victims and witnesses coming to courts is a priority for HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), and those courts that do not have dedicated separate entrances all have processes in place to enable victims and witnesses to use alternative secure routes to get into a court so they would not have to enter alongside defendants. These processes include using alternative entrances including staff and judicial entrances, staggering the time people are asked to arrive at court, arranging for Witness Service representatives to meet and escort victims and witnesses and using separate waiting areas where available or annexes to court buildings or other buildings so that victims can join the hearing via video.

Any court attendee who has questions or concerns about going to a court building can contact the court. They can also speak to their witness care officer or the Crown Prosecution Service if they have any concerns about entering the court and may need to enter separately from a defendant. They can also ask their witness care officer to refer them to Victim Support if they live in London or the Citizens Advice Witness Service if they live outside of London, and these organisations can arrange a pre-trial visit to the court. Further information for victims and witnesses going to court is also available at www.gov.uk/going-to-court-victim-witness.