Explanatory note

These Rules amend the Crown Court Rules (Northern Ireland) 1979 (the principal Rules) so as to reflect the amendments made to the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (the 1989 Order) by Articles 5(1) and 5(2) of the Children’s Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.

Rule 2 substitutes a new rule 44B of the principal Rules to provide for applications for the leave of the court under Article 81(2) of the 1989 Order (evidence through television link by witness who will not give evidence otherwise through fear or who is a child or is to be cross-examined after admission of video recording of testimony).

Rule 3 adds a new rule 44C to the principal Rules which provides for applications for the leave of the court under Article 81A of the 1989 Order (video recordings of testimony from child witnesses).

Rule 4 makes a consequential amendment to Rule 44 of the principal Rules.

Rule 5 and the Schedule provide for the necessary forms for use in connection with applications.