The Witness Service
All Sheriff and High Courts in Scotland have a Witness Service who can give you help and support if you are called as a witness to a crime. The Witness Service are specially trained volunteers and staff who are managed by Victim Support Scotland. The Witness Service exists to help people through the judicial process by providing practical and emotional support at court. You can contact the service at any time before, during or after attending court. Their helpline is 0845 60 39 213 or 0845 30 30 900. The Witness Service is based within the court building, so they will be there when you need help and assistance. The service is confidential and is free.
The Witness Service can:
- Talk about how you are feeling (although they can’t talk about the case)
- Arrange for you to visit the courtroom before the trial so you can see what it looks like and ask questions
- Sometimes sit in court with you while you are giving your evidence so that there will be a friendly face in the room
- Tell you who to talk to and where to go if you have specific questions about your case
- Tell you about other organisations that might be able to help you with any problems you have
- Help with any practical things like filling out your expenses form or finding your way around the court building.
If you think you might want their help, you can contact the court beforehand to arrange to talk to the Witness Service or phone Victim Support Scotland’s Helpline (0845 60 39 213 or 0845 30 30 900). If you are being called as a witness, the court phone number will be on the CitationA formal letter which tells a witness to attend court to give evidence at a trial. It will say where the court is, and what time and date the witness should be there. that you have received.
