Members unanimously backed proposals to ‘bring the criminal justice system forward by 150 years’ by streamlining proceedings and providing more protection for victims and vulnerable witnesses.
The move comes days after an abuse victim spoke out about the ‘horrendous’ experience of being cross-examined by his abuser, former teacher Christopher Bacon.
He said his Royal Court ordeal was one of the worst experiences of his life, and was ‘like being abused all over again, only with a room full of people watching’.
Bacon, who cross-examined his victims as he represented himself in court, was jailed for 5½ years after being convicted of eight sex offences dating back to the 70s and 80s.
Under the new proposals, which were brought to the House by Home Affairs Minister Kristina Moore, protection would be given to the victim and vulnerable witnesses in certain cases, such as when the defendant is charged with murder, manslaughter or sex offences.
In such cases, if a defendant wishes to pursue cross-examination, a lawyer would have to be appointed either by the defendant or at no cost by the court. A similar system is already in place in the UK.
Another section of the legislation gives prosecutors the ability to bring about a retrial in the event of a hung jury.
Although the proposals were approved unanimously in principle, the final approval of the law will not take place until March after a Scrutiny sub-panel called the laws in for review.
Deputy Moore said: ‘We will be able to offer the protection necessary for people to approach the criminal justice system with confidence and trust.
‘We have a duty to demonstrate that we are here for all victims of abuse and are here to help them. By approving this law we have the chance to do just that.’
Deputy Sam Mézec, who is chairing the Scrutiny panel, said: ‘This is an important piece of legislation and a major change, so I think it is important that we do look at it.
‘We have already had quite a few submissions sent to us by people at the forefront of our criminal justice system.’
The Home Affairs Minister added that she looked forward to working with the panel and to reading their report.
The proposals were adopted in principle by 34 votes to nil and are due to come back before the States on Tuesday 20 March.
