Westminster Witness Service

Volunteer Role Description

Title:Witness Service Volunteer

Reports to:Co-ordinator

Purpose of role:To enable witnesses and their associates to deal with the experience of attending court and giving evidence by providing free and confidential support, advice and information, in accordance with Victim Support policy and guidelines, and the principles of Equal Opportunities.

Main Tasks:

  1. Receive details of witnesses and their associates referred to the service and make contact to offer support, usually in the court building, in accordance with the Witness Service policy.
  1. Provide witnesses and their associates with support, advice and information to assist them with the practical and emotional impact of attending court and giving evidence. This may involve:
  • Providing basic information on court procedure and layout;
  • Undertaking pre-trial familiarisation;
  • Listening and empathising with witnesses’ concerns and anxieties;
  • Preparing the witnesses for possible verdicts and sentences;
  • Accompanying witnesses into court if requested, sitting in the public gallery;
  • Explaining the legal jargon or decisions;
  • Referring the witnesses to their local Victim Support scheme or other agency as appropriate.
  1. Provide the co-ordinator with a report of all work undertaken with or on behalf of witnesses.
  1. Attend volunteers’ meetings, training events, supervision sessions and an annual review in accordance with the Witness Service policy and practice.
  1. Ensure that the co-ordinator is aware of your availability, giving reasonable notice of your holidays.
  1. Submit claims for travelling expenses in accordance with the Witness Service policy.
  1. Elect a volunteers’ representative to the Steering Committee where it is in existence.

Hours:

Witness Service volunteers must be able to commit themselves to being available for a minimum of one day per fortnight. Because of the nature of the work the actual hours are fixed, and it is hoped that volunteers will be available during the working hours of the court, which are 9.30am to 5.00pm. Volunteers may be asked to attend weekend meetings or training events.

Expenses:

Volunteers will be reimbursed for actual receipted out of pocket expenses incurred while working for the service. The co-ordinator will provide details of how these should be claimed.

What does the Witness Service offer to witnesses?

  • Please see the enclosed leaflet ‘Going to Court’ for an idea of the basic service we offer to witnesses.

What do Witness Service volunteers do?

Volunteers offer witnesses:

  • Practical information about court proceedings;
  • Emotional support;
  • A guided visit to the courtroom and an explanation of the roles of the people present in the court (magistrates, lawyers etc.);
  • Someone to talk to in confidence, before and after giving evidence;
  • Company in the courtroom while giving evidence (though no communication is possible at this point);
  • Information about other services that may be able to help them further.

They also ensure that:

  • Court staff know that the witnesses are present and their whereabouts;
  • Police/defence solicitors have given witnesses a copy of their statement to read over prior to giving evidence;
  • Witnesses are kept informed of the progress of their case and are given reasons for delays or adjournments;
  • Witnesses are offered the opportunity to be informed of the outcome of their case, which may continue long after they have finished giving their evidence.

Full training is provided, as is ongoing support and guidance.

Requirements for volunteering with this service:

  • Some experience of working with people;
  • Interested in learning about court procedures as they relate to witnesses;
  • Commitment to maintaining confidentiality about cases;
  • Able to attend training course;
  • Available for one day per fortnight, or for one half day per week (between 9.30am and 1.00pm or 1.30pm and 4.30pm) and be able to commit for a year.

Some benefits of volunteering for the Witness Service:

  • Opportunity to learn about the court process in practice;
  • Development of listening and communication skills;

Expenses paid:

  • Travel costs will be reimbursed.