Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 8 July 2014, Official Report, column 255W, on courts: children, what elements are involved in the specialist training available to judicial office holders dealing with cases involving children.

Under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, responsibility for the training of the judiciary rests with the Lord Chief Justice and is exercised through the Judicial College. All training is carried out under the direction of the judiciary. The judiciary have no obligation to share the contents of their training with Parliament.

However, I am advised that training seeks to support the main role of the judge which is to enable all those who appear in court the opportunity to give their best evidence. Judicial office holders are authorised to hear cases involving children and will attend induction training when first authorised.

Where witnesses are deemed “vulnerable” (which includes children) training will emphasise good case management to ensure that appropriate special measures are used by the Court. This includes controlling the management and scope of cross examination. Where a sexual offence is being considered for example, judges are given information about the psychological effects of this in the context of giving evidence. These few examples are not a complete list of the elements of training and regular assessment of the content of courses will mean they vary over time and according to particular seminars and audiences.