The Advocacy Training Council

The Vulnerable Witnesses and Defendants Handling Group

The Vulnerable Witnesses and Defendants Handling Group (VWDHG) was set up in June 2009 to help develop a sound understanding of the particular needs of witnesses and defendants who may be vulnerable by virtue of age, or by learning difficulties or phyiscal disability. The Group is gathering evidence from a range of experts including members of the judiciary, government officials, child/adolescent pyschiatrists and intermediaries. It will make a range of recommendations for the training of barristers in how best to handle vulnerable witnesses and defendants in court, and will also draw together a list of issues that need addressing, but which lie outside the immediate remit of the Advocacy Training Council.

 It will present its final report to the Council in May 2010.

 Members:

Bobbie Cheema (Chair)

Charles Haddon-Cave QC

Judge Wendy Joseph

Philip Mott QC

Johanna Cutts QC

Sally O'Neill QC

Rachel O'Driscoll

The Advanced Advocacy Training Working Party

The Advanced Advocacy Training Working Party (AATWP) examines how best to meet the training needs of barristers of more than four years' Call. It is seeking views both from barristers who are past the compulsory advocacy training stage, and from members of the judiciary. It is particularly considering the most desirable method of advocacy training for more established practitioners. It is chaired by Bernard Richmond QC and will report to the ATC in early 2010.