OpenLegislation

Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 in England

1999 c. 23 · Enacted 27 July 1999 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 14 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 26 October 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 4 para. 19omittedInsolvency (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2026 Sch. 3 para. 14(4)(a)
s. 33BA 33BBinsertedCoroners and Justice Act 2009 s. 104(1)
Pt. 2 Ch. 1A headingwords insertedCoroners and Justice Act 2009 s. 104(2)
Pt. 2 Ch. 1applied (with modifications)Crime and Policing Act 2026 s. 61(1)(2)
Pt. 2 Ch. 1applied (with modifications) by 2020 c. 17, s. 358I(1) (as inserted)Crime and Policing Act 2026 Sch. 6 para. 1
s. 17(4A)(ba)-(bc)insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 71(1)(a)
s. 33(6)(e)-(g)insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 71(1)(b)
s. 35(3)(aa)-(ac)insertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 71(1)(c)
s. 47applied (with modifications)Crime and Policing Act 2026 s. 61(3)
s. 47applied (with modifications) by 2020 c. 17, s. 358I(3) (as inserted)Crime and Policing Act 2026 Sch. 6 para. 1
s. 49appliedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 61(3)
s. 49applied by 2020 c. 17, s. 358I(1) (as inserted)Crime and Policing Act 2026 Sch. 6 para. 1
s. 51appliedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 61(3)
s. 51applied by 2020 c. 17, s. 358I(1) (as inserted)Crime and Policing Act 2026 Sch. 6 para. 1

An Act to provide for the referral of offenders under 18 to youth offender panels; to make provision in connection with the giving of evidence or information for the purposes of criminal proceedings; to amend section 51 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994; to make pre-consolidation amendments relating to youth justice; and for connected purposes.

[27th July 1999]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C1

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act transitional provisions for effects of S.I. 2002/3150 (N.I.) (5.9.2003) by The Company Directors Disqualification (2002 Order) (Transitional Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2003 (S.R. 2003/346), arts. 3-6

Contents

  1. Part I: Referrals to youth offender panels
  2. Referral orders
  3. 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  4. 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  5. 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  6. 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  7. 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  8. Youth offender panels
  9. 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  10. 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  11. Youth offender contracts
  12. 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  13. 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  14. 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  15. 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  16. 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  17. Further court proceedings
  18. 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  19. Supplementary
  20. 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  21. 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  22. Part II: Giving of evidence or information for purposes of criminal proceedings
  23. Chapter I: Special measures directions in case of vulnerable and intimidated witnesses
  24. Preliminary
  25. 16Witnesses eligible for assistance on grounds of age or incapacity.
  26. 17Witnesses eligible for assistance on grounds of fear or distress about testifying.
  27. 18Special measures available to eligible witnesses.
  28. Special measures directions
  29. 19Special measures direction relating to eligible witness.
  30. 20Further provisions about directions: general.
  31. 21Special provisions relating to child witnesses.
  32. 22Extension of provisions of section 21 to certain witnesses over 18.
  33. 22ASpecial provisions relating to sexual offences
  34. Special measures
  35. 23Screening witness from accused.
  36. 24Evidence by live link.
  37. 25Evidence given in private.
  38. 26Removal of wigs and gowns.
  39. 27Video recorded evidence in chief.
  40. 28Video recorded cross-examination or re-examination.
  41. 29Examination of witness through intermediary.
  42. 30Aids to communication.
  43. Supplementary
  44. 31Status of evidence given under Chapter I.
  45. 32Warning to jury.
  46. 33Interpretation etc. of Chapter I.
  47. Chapter 1A: Use of live link for evidence of certain accused persons : service courts
  48. 33ALive link directions
  49. 33BSection 33A: meaning of “live link”
  50. 33CSaving
  51. Chapter II: Protection of witnesses from cross-examination by accused in person
  52. General prohibitions
  53. 34Complainants in proceedings for sexual offences.
  54. 35Child complainants and other child witnesses.
  55. Prohibition imposed by court
  56. 36Direction prohibiting accused from cross-examining particular witness.
  57. 37Further provisions about directions under section 36.
  58. Cross-examination on behalf of accused
  59. 38Defence representation for purposes of cross-examination.
  60. 39Warning to jury.
  61. 40Funding of defence representation.
  62. Chapter III: Protection of complainants in proceedings for sexual offences
  63. 41Restriction on evidence or questions about complainant’s sexual history.
  64. 42Interpretation and application of section 41.
  65. 43Procedure on applications under section 41.
  66. Chapter IV: Reporting restrictions
  67. Reports relating to persons under 18
  68. 44Restrictions on reporting alleged offences involving persons under 18.
  69. 45Power to restrict reporting of criminal proceedings involving persons under 18.
  70. 45APower to restrict reporting of criminal proceedings for lifetime of witnesses and victims under 18
  71. Reports relating to adult witnesses
  72. 46Power to restrict reports about certain adult witnesses in criminal proceedings.
  73. Reports relating to directions under Chapter I or IIChapter 1, 1A or 2
  74. 47Restrictions on reporting directions under Chapter 1, 1A or 2.
  75. Other restrictions
  76. 48Amendments relating to other reporting restrictions.
  77. Offences
  78. 49Offences under Chapter IV.
  79. 50Defences.
  80. 51Offences committed by bodies corporate or Scottish partnerships.
  81. Supplementary
  82. 52Decisions as to public interest for purposes of Chapter IV.
  83. Chapter V: Competence of witnesses and capacity to be sworn
  84. Competence of witnesses
  85. 53Competence of witnesses to give evidence.
  86. 54Determining competence of witnesses.
  87. Giving of sworn or unsworn evidence
  88. 55Determining whether witness to be sworn.
  89. 56Reception of unsworn evidence.
  90. 57Penalty for giving false unsworn evidence.
  91. Chapter VI: Restrictions on use of evidence
  92. Additional restrictions
  93. 58Inferences from silence not permissible where no prior access to legal advice.
  94. 59Restriction on use of answers etc. obtained under compulsion.
  95. Removal of restriction
  96. 60Removal of restriction on use of evidence from computer records.
  97. Chapter VII: General
  98. 61Application of Part II to service courts.
  99. 62Meaning of “sexual offence” and other references to offences.
  100. 63General interpretation etc. of Part II.
  101. Part III: Final provisions
  102. 64Regulations and orders.
  103. 65General supplementary provisions.
  104. 67Minor, consequential and pre-consolidation amendments, repeals and transitional provisions.
  105. 68Short title, commencement and extent.
  106. Schedule 1
  107. Part I: Referral back to appropriate court
  108. Introductory
  109. 1Paragraph 1
  110. Mode of referral back to court
  111. 2Paragraph 2
  112. Bringing the offender before the court
  113. 3Paragraph 3
  114. Detention and remand of arrested offender
  115. 4Paragraph 4
  116. Power of court where it upholds panel’s decision
  117. 5Paragraph 5
  118. Appeal
  119. 6Paragraph 6
  120. Court not revoking referral order or orders
  121. 7Paragraph 7
  122. Exception where court satisfied as to completion of contract
  123. 8Paragraph 8
  124. Discharge of extension orders
  125. 9Paragraph 9
  126. Part II: Further convictions during referral
  127. Extension of referral for further offences
  128. 10Paragraph 10
  129. Extension where further offences committed pre-referral
  130. 11Paragraph 11
  131. Extension where further offence committed after referral
  132. 12Paragraph 12
  133. Provisions supplementary to paragraphs 11 and 12
  134. 13Paragraph 13
  135. Further convictions which lead to revocation of referral
  136. 14Paragraph 14
  137. Interpretation
  138. 15Paragraph 15
  139. Schedule 1A: Relevant offences for the purposes of section 17
  140. Murder and manslaughter
  141. 1Paragraph 1
  142. 2Paragraph 2
  143. 3Paragraph 3
  144. Offences against the Person Act 1861 (c. 100)
  145. 4Paragraph 4
  146. 5Paragraph 5
  147. 6Paragraph 6
  148. 7Paragraph 7
  149. 8Paragraph 8
  150. Prevention of Crime Act 1953 (c. 14)
  151. 9Paragraph 9
  152. 9AParagraph 9A
  153. Firearms Act 1968 (c. 27)
  154. 10Paragraph 10
  155. 11Paragraph 11
  156. 12Paragraph 12
  157. 13Paragraph 13
  158. 14Paragraph 14
  159. 15Paragraph 15
  160. 16Paragraph 16
  161. 17Paragraph 17
  162. 18Paragraph 18
  163. 19Paragraph 19
  164. 20Paragraph 20
  165. 21Paragraph 21
  166. 22Paragraph 22
  167. 23Paragraph 23
  168. 24Paragraph 24
  169. Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c. 33)
  170. 25Paragraph 25
  171. 26Paragraph 26
  172. 26AParagraph 26A
  173. Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 (c. 38)
  174. 27Paragraph 27
  175. 28Paragraph 28
  176. 29Paragraph 29
  177. Serious Crime Act 2015
  178. 29AParagraph 29A
  179. General
  180. 30Paragraph 30
  181. 31Paragraph 31
  182. Interpretation
  183. 32Paragraph 32
  184. Schedule 2: Reporting restrictions: miscellaneous amendments
  185. Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c.12)
  186. 1Paragraph 1
  187. 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
  188. 3Paragraph 3
  189. Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1976 (c.82)
  190. 4Paragraph 4
  191. Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 (N.I.15)
  192. 5Paragraph 5
  193. Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 (c.34)
  194. 6Paragraph 6
  195. 7Paragraph 7
  196. 8Paragraph 8
  197. 9Paragraph 9
  198. 10Paragraph 10
  199. 11Paragraph 11
  200. 12Paragraph 12
  201. 13Paragraph 13
  202. 14Paragraph 14
  203. Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 (N.I.15)
  204. 15Paragraph 15
  205. Schedule 2A: Restriction of reporting of criminal proceedings for lifetime of witnesses and victims under 18: providers of information society services
  206. Domestic service providers: extension of liability
  207. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  208. Non-UK service providers: restriction on institution of proceedings
  209. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  210. Exceptions for mere conduits
  211. 3Paragraph 3
  212. Exception for caching
  213. 4Paragraph 4
  214. Exception for hosting
  215. 5Paragraph 5
  216. Interpretation
  217. 6Paragraph 6
  218. Schedule 3: Restriction on use of answers etc. obtained under compulsion
  219. Insurance Companies Act 1982 (c.50)
  220. 1Paragraph 1
  221. 2Paragraph 2
  222. 3Paragraph 3
  223. Companies Act 1985 (c.6)
  224. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  225. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  226. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  227. Insolvency Act 1986 (c.45)
  228. 7Paragraph 7
  229. Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 (c.46)
  230. 8Paragraph 8
  231. Building Societies Act 1986 (c.53)
  232. 9Paragraph 9
  233. Financial Services Act 1986 (c.60)
  234. 10Paragraph 10
  235. 11Paragraph 11
  236. 12Paragraph 12
  237. 13Paragraph 13 Repealed
  238. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  239. 15Paragraph 15 Repealed
  240. Banking Act 1987 (c.22)
  241. 16Paragraph 16
  242. 17Paragraph 17
  243. 18Paragraph 18
  244. 19Paragraph 19
  245. Criminal Justice Act 1987 (c.38)
  246. 20Paragraph 20
  247. Companies Act 1989 (c.40)
  248. 21Paragraph 21
  249. 23Paragraph 23
  250. Friendly Societies Act 1992 (c.40)
  251. 24Paragraph 24
  252. 25Paragraph 25
  253. Schedule 4: Minor and consequential amendments
  254. Criminal Evidence Act 1898 (c.36)
  255. 1Paragraph 1
  256. Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (c.12) Not yet in force
  257. 2Paragraph 2 Not yet in force
  258. Children and Young Persons Act 1963 (c.37) Not yet in force
  259. 3Paragraph 3 Not yet in force
  260. Criminal Appeal Act 1968 (c.19) Not yet in force
  261. 4Paragraph 4 Not yet in force
  262. Children and Young Persons Act 1969 (c.54)
  263. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  264. Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (c.53)
  265. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  266. Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (c.43)
  267. 7Paragraph 7
  268. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  269. 9Paragraph 9
  270. Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c.48)
  271. 10Paragraph 10
  272. Mental Health Act 1983 (c.20)
  273. 11Paragraph 11
  274. Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c.33)
  275. 12Paragraph 12
  276. 13Paragraph 13
  277. 14Paragraph 14
  278. Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c.33)
  279. 15Paragraph 15
  280. 16Paragraph 16 Repealed
  281. 17Paragraph 17
  282. Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (N.I.18) Not yet in force
  283. 18Paragraph 18 Not yet in force
  284. Insolvency (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (N.I.19) Not yet in force
  285. 19Paragraph 19 Not yet in force
  286. Criminal Justice Act 1991 (c.53)
  287. 20Paragraph 20 Repealed
  288. Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c.33)
  289. 21Paragraph 21 Not yet in force
  290. 22Paragraph 22
  291. 23Paragraph 23
  292. 24Paragraph 24 Not yet in force
  293. Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c.37)
  294. 25Paragraph 25
  295. 26Paragraph 26 Repealed
  296. 27Paragraph 27 Repealed
  297. 28Paragraph 28
  298. 29Paragraph 29 Repealed
  299. 30Paragraph 30 Repealed
  300. Schedule 5
  301. Children and Young Persons Act 1969 (c.54)
  302. 1Paragraph 1
  303. 2Paragraph 2
  304. 3Paragraph 3
  305. 4Paragraph 4
  306. Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c.37)
  307. 5Paragraph 5
  308. 6Paragraph 6
  309. 7Paragraph 7
  310. 8Paragraph 8
  311. 9Paragraph 9
  312. 10Paragraph 10
  313. 11Paragraph 11
  314. 12Paragraph 12
  315. Schedule 6Repeals
  316. Schedule 7: Transitional provisions and savings
  317. Interpretation
  318. 1Paragraph 1
  319. Referral orders under Part I
  320. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  321. Special measures under Chapter I of Part II
  322. 3Paragraph 3
  323. Protection of witnesses from cross-examination by accused in person
  324. 4Paragraph 4
  325. Protection of complainants in proceedings for sexual offences
  326. 5Paragraph 5
  327. Reporting restrictions
  328. 6Paragraph 6
  329. Competence of witnesses and capacity to be sworn
  330. 7Paragraph 7
  331. Inferences from silence
  332. 8Paragraph 8