Get help
You have been asked to give evidence. Here is who can help.
Choose where the case is being heard and what kind of case it is. Every organisation listed is independent of this site. We checked each link on 15 November 2026.
If someone is trying to stop you giving evidence
Threatening or pressuring a witness is a crime. If you are in danger call 999. If it is not an emergency call the police on 101, and tell the person who asked you to give evidence.
England and Wales
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Witness Service
Free, confidential support for prosecution and defence witnesses in every criminal court: someone to explain what will happen, a visit to see the court before the trial, and support on the day.
How to reach them: Ask your witness care officer or the defence lawyer to refer you, or contact Victim Support.
Victim Support: going to court
Victim Support Supportline 08 08 16 89 111 (free) -
Witness Care Unit
If you are a victim or a prosecution witness, a witness care officer tells you which court to go to and when, and is the person to tell if you cannot make the date or need help getting there.
How to reach them: Your witness care officer contacts you. Their details are on the letter or message you were sent.
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The defence lawyer who asked you to attend
If you are a defence witness there is no witness care officer. Official guidance says the defence lawyer tells you when to attend and is who to ask about travel, a video link or an interpreter. You can still use the Witness Service.
How to reach them: Contact the solicitor's firm that asked you to give evidence, and ask them to refer you to the Witness Service.
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Extra protection in the courtroom (special measures)
Screens, a live video link, recorded evidence and help with communication can be available for witnesses who are under 18, vulnerable or afraid. Ask as early as you can.
How to reach them: Tell your witness care officer, or the defence lawyer, that you would like to be considered for special measures.
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Expenses for going to court
You may be able to claim travel costs, lost earnings and childcare. The rules differ for prosecution and defence witnesses.
How to reach them: Follow the official guidance and keep your receipts.
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Civil courts: ask the court for adjustments
There is no national witness support service for civil cases. The court does have a duty to take proportionate measures where a witness's vulnerability could affect their evidence. That can include a video link, screens or breaks.
How to reach them: Tell the solicitor or party who asked you to give evidence, as early as possible, what you would find difficult. They can raise it with the court.
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Employment tribunals: guidance on vulnerable witnesses
The tribunal presidents have issued guidance on helping vulnerable parties and witnesses take part. There is no dedicated witness support service.
How to reach them: Tell whoever is calling you as a witness what you need, and ask them to tell the tribunal.
Presidential Guidance on vulnerable parties and witnesses (PDF)
Scotland
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Being a witness in Scotland: official guide
What a citation is, what to do if you cannot attend, and how to ask for an interpreter, help with access or special measures. Whoever cited you is your first contact: the Procurator Fiscal, the Children's Reporter or a defence lawyer.
How to reach them: Read the guide, then contact whoever sent your citation. Their details are on it.
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Victim Information and Advice (VIA)
Part of the prosecution service. It keeps certain victims and witnesses informed about their case and can refer them to other support. The prosecution service decides who is referred.
How to reach them: If you think you should have VIA support and have not heard from them, contact the Procurator Fiscal's office named on your citation.
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Victim Support Scotland
Information and support for people going to court as a witness or victim, including what to expect on the day.
How to reach them: Contact Victim Support Scotland through its website.
Northern Ireland
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Witness Service and Young Witness Service
Support before, during and after a trial, available in all courts. Official guidance describes these services as being for prosecution witnesses and their families and friends.
How to reach them: The services normally phone or write to witnesses before the trial. The official guide explains how to get in touch.
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Victim and Witness Care Unit
A named case officer who is your single point of contact from the point the prosecution service receives the file until the case ends.
How to reach them: Your case officer contacts you. Contact details are on the Public Prosecution Service page.
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The defence solicitor who asked you to attend
We have not found an official support route in Northern Ireland that is described as open to defence witnesses. Your first contact is the solicitor who asked you to give evidence.
How to reach them: Ask the solicitor what support is available and whether the court's witness service can help you.
What support can and cannot do
Anyone supporting you can explain how the court works, show you the room, tell you who sits where and what order things happen in, and stay with you while you wait. That is called familiarisation, and the courts welcome it. E15
Nobody is allowed to tell you what to say, practise your answers with you, or go through questions you might be asked about the facts of the case. That is coaching, and it is not permitted for any witness. Your evidence has to be your own. E15
This applies to websites and apps too, including this one, and including AI chat tools. In 2026 a criminal trial was stopped after a witness was found to have used an AI tool to generate practice questions and answers. The Court of Appeal later ordered a re-trial. E16 If you want to prepare, read your own statement when you are offered it, and ask the people listed above about the process.
If you cannot find help here
Some witnesses have no dedicated service at all, especially in civil, family and tribunal cases. That is one reason this site exists. Your first step is always the person or organisation that asked you to give evidence: ask them directly what support is available and what the court can do for you.
This page gives general information, not legal advice. If you have received a witness summons or citation and are unsure of your obligations, speak to a solicitor or a free advice service.