21EAudiovisual record of evidence of vulnerable witness

21E Audiovisual record of evidence of vulnerable witness (1) If a vulnerable witness is to give evidence in criminal proceedings, and facilities are available for making an audiovisual record of the evidence, the court may direct that an audiovisual record be made of the witness's evidence. Evidence Act 1939 11 (2) An order may be made under this section whether or not special measures are taken for the protection of the witness. (3) An audiovisual record made under this section forms part of the records of the court. (4) If, in later civil or criminal proceedings, a court is satisfied that evidence of which an audiovisual record has been made under this section is relevant to the later proceedings, the court may admit the audiovisual record in evidence. (5) Before the court admits an audiovisual record in evidence, it may have the record edited to exclude irrelevant material or material that is otherwise inadmissible in the later proceedings. (6) If a court admits an audiovisual record in evidence under this section, the court may relieve the witness wholly or in part from an obligation to give evidence in the later proceedings.