Transparency data

Memorandum of Understanding for police witness evidence by live links (remote hearings)

This Memorandum of Understanding is between the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Crown Prosecution Service and His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service. It is supported by the Judicial Office of England and Wales.

• From: HM Courts & Tribunals Service
• Published: 30 September 2026

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Memorandum of Understanding on police witness evidence by live links (Remote Hearings)

PDF, 381 KB, 15 pages

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Details

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Crown Prosecution Service and His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service sets out the agreed operational arrangements for police witnesses giving evidence by live video link in criminal proceedings, where authorised by the court.

It supports the implementation of the Lady Chief Justice’s guidance on ‘Live Links in Criminal Courts’ and establishes a consistent framework to help police witnesses participate remotely while maintaining the efficient administration of justice and preserving judicial discretion in individual cases.

This MOU records the operational arrangements agreed between the participating agencies. The agencies intend to work collaboratively and follow these arrangements in good faith, but the MOU does not itself create legally binding obligations. It does not override any statutory or procedural requirement, applicable court process, or the court’s discretion in an individual case.

Published 30 September 2026