Commentary on Sections Part 2: Live Links Section 19: Live link direction for vulnerable accused or appellant
This section provides for an accused person of any age who has a physical disability or suffers from a physical disorder to make an application to the court to give oral evidence through a live link. The court must be satisfied that the accused person suffers from the said disability or disorder; use of a live link would enable them to participate more effectively in the proceedings; and that it is in the interests of justice for them to give evidence through a live link. This is in any proceedings in a magistrates’ court or before the Crown Court for an offence and to any proceedings in a county court on an appeal.