Official opening of Belfast Remote Evidence Centre

A new facility that ensures vulnerable witnesses giving evidence will not meet defendants within a court building, was officially opened in Belfast today the Department of Justice (DoJ) has announced.

The Belfast Remote Evidence Centre enables vulnerable or intimidated victims and witnesses to provide their evidence to the court, using live link video technology.

Remote Evidence Centres (REC) are intended to reduce the trauma that vulnerable witnesses can feel about participating in the criminal justice process. They were a key recommendation in Sir John Gillen’s 2019 Report into the law and procedures in serious sexual offences in Northern Ireland.

DOJ Permanent Secretary, Richard Pengelly CB said: The Gillen Review set out a vision for the criminal justice system where victims of serious sexual crimes feel confident in reporting the offences they have experienced; where they do not fear that they will be re-traumatised by criminal justice processes; where they are able to access the support, advice and information that they need and where they have confidence that justice will be delivered. I believe that with the opening of The Belfast Remote Evidence Centre, we have taken an important step towards it.

Opening The Belfast Remote Evidence Centre, Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan said: “Initial feedback from witnesses is very positive with some indicating that without the availability of the REC they would not have given evidence and would have dropped out of the criminal justice process. While at an early stage, there is also some evidence to suggest that the availability of the REC and associated lower dropout rates could contribute to a higher number of early guilty pleas. The judiciary are fully supportive of this initiative and would encourage a greater take up by the profession.”

The Belfast Remote Evidence Centre will be supported by Victim Support NI and NSPCC’s Young Witness Service.

Janice Bunting, Chief Executive Victim Support NI explained: “Victims and witnesses tell us that going to court can be a traumatic and stressful time for them, with some describing it as ‘horrendous’.  One of the things that contributes to this stress is the fear that they might encounter the defendant or the supporters of the defendant at court.  We welcome this new facility which provides a safe space for victims and witnesses to give their evidence, in a separate location away from the main court, with no danger of coming into contact with the defendant or anyone associated with the defendant. 

“We trust that this facility will be fully integrated into the workings of the courts system and will be made readily available to vulnerable victims and witnesses going forward.  Our staff and volunteers look forward to providing the same caring and professional support at the Belfast Remote Evidence Centre as they currently deliver at court.”

The Belfast Remote Evidence Centre has separate adult and children’s facilities including conference, waiting and live link rooms – with state-of-the-art technology connecting to the courtroom. They also provide a more relaxed, less intimidating environment including child friendly facilities for child complainants.

WATCH: Belfast Remote Evidence Centre - YouTube

Notes to editors: 

1. The location of the Belfast Remote Evidence Centre should not be publicly disclosed.

2. Photo caption 1 (l-r) Pictured in one of the waiting rooms of The Belfast Remote Evidence Centre are: Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan; DoJ Permanent Secretary, Richard Pengelly; Chief Executive Victim Support NI, Janice Bunting; The Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Herron and Assistant Director NSPCC NI Bronagh Muldoon. Remote Evidence Centres allow vulnerable or intimidated victims and witnesses to provide their evidence to the court, using live link video technology. Photo caption 2 – One of the live link rooms in The Belfast Remote Evidence Centre where vulnerable or intimidated witness will provide their evidence to the court.

3. Media FAQS are available on request from DoJ Press Office.

4. The establishment of remote evidence facilities was a key recommendation in Sir John Gillen’s 2019 Report into the law and procedures in serious sexual offences in Northern Ireland. The report can be found at can be found at:

5. The total cost of the capital work to deliver The Belfast REC was £442,000. It builds on existing provision which has been operational in Craigavon since January 2021 and temporary provision for Belfast that opened in February 2021.  

6. The Belfast REC has separate wings for children and adults. The children’s wing has been designed as a child-friendly environment and has two live link rooms where witnesses provide their evidence directly to court using a secure, cabled video link system. The children’s wing also has four waiting rooms equipped with puzzles, arts & crafts, toys etc and four consultation rooms.

7. The adults’ wing has one live link room as well as two waiting rooms and two consultation rooms. There is also office space to accommodate staff and volunteers from Victim Support NI and NSPCC Young Witness Service who support the witnesses using the REC.

8. The launch of The Belfast REC coincides with the commencement of a number of new measures under the 2022 Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking) Act, which also flow from the Gillen Review and are intended to enhance protections in serious sexual offence cases by excluding the public from such trials as well as extending anonymity for victims until 25 years after death. They also provide for the anonymity of the suspect up to the point that they are formally charged.

9. Department of Justice media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office via email 

10. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hour’s service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted out of hours on 028 9037 8110.

11. Follow us on Twitter

Share this page