Commentary on Sections Part 1 – Criminal Proceedings Section 271J – Live television link
35.This section allows witnesses to give evidence by live TV link. Subsection (1) imposes a duty on the court to make suitable arrangements for the evidence of a vulnerable witness to be given from outside the court-room by a live television link. Subsection (2) allows for this to happen from either another part of the court building or any suitable place that can be identified away from the court building. Subsection (3) confirms that when a live link is used in these proceedings it will be treated as taking place in the presence of the accused.
36.Subsection (4) allows for the sheriff to transfer a case or part of a case in which it is intended that a live television link be used from a sheriff court that does not have either the suitable accommodation or equipment to another sheriff court within the same sheriffdom that does.