Some people are described as ‘vulnerable’ in law and can be eligible for special types of assistance because they are under 18 or because they are deemed to have a mental disorder. Intermediaries are one of a range of ‘special measures’ which are used to help vulnerable people in court cases.
Some examples of people who might receive intermediary assistance due to differences in their communication are:
- children under 18
and people with
- learning disabilities
- physical disabilities
- neurological conditions
- stroke or brain injuries
- autism
You can find out more about special measures and vulnerable witnesses by reading about the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999.