Making the justice system better for victims: what did you tell us?

Special measures to support people in civil cases

The civil court is different to the criminal court.

It does not decide if a person has broken the law.

It helps to sort out disagreements or arguments between people.

It can stop a person from contacting someone they have harmed.

Special measures are when people get extra support to help them give evidence in court.

This can be:

• using a screen so the victim does not see the perpetrator
• giving evidence from a different building on a TV link

Proposals about special measures were supported including:

• courts should be able to stop the person who has caused harm from questioning a vulnerable person
• special measures should be used in civil court cases

Some respondents were worried it could be difficult to provide special measures if there is not enough time, money or equipment.