AQO 2519/22-27


Mr Eóin Tennyson
Alliance Party
Upper Bann


Tabled Date: 02/10/2025
Answered On Date: 14/10/2025
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice for an update on the impact of Remote Evidence Centres.


Answer:
AQO 2519 22-27 - ANSWER
Remote Evidence Centres, or ‘RECs’, allow vulnerable witnesses to give evidence directly to the court from a secure and comfortable facility, away from the courthouse. Importantly, attending a REC ensures that the witness will not encounter the defendant or the defendant’s family or supporters in or around the court building on the day of the trial.  
 
My Department has established two new RECs in Belfast and Craigavon. These new facilities are in addition to the existing NSPCC-led facility in Derry ~ Londonderry.  
 
We measure the impact of RECs in three main ways – usage, case outcomes and feedback from users. 
 
In terms of usage, my officials have worked hard to increase awareness and promote the use of the RECs, with considerable success. In 2024, there was an increase of over 600% in terms of trial bookings compared to 2023 and this increase in demand has continued in 2025, with a further 90% increase in bookings so far this year compared to 2024. 
In the whole of 2024, 344 vulnerable victims and witnesses attended a REC to give evidence; so far this year, that number stands at 431.  
 
In terms of case outcomes, the conviction rate for REC cases in 2024 was 92%, and so far this year, the rate stands at over 94%. These figures compare favourably to the conviction rate in criminal cases when the complainant attends the courthouse to give evidence. 
 
There are several reasons why the conviction rate has remained high, including, when the complainant is offered the opportunity to attend a REC, they almost always turn up on the day of the trial, something that is not always the case when they are required to attend the courthouse. In addition, many witnesses have told us they feel more confident, secure and relaxed at the REC, which enables them to give their best evidence. 
 
Feedback from those who have used the REC is universally positive with many victims telling us that without it, they would not have been able to give evidence or indeed, continue with their case at all. 
 
In summary then, REC usage continues to increase; case outcomes are very encouraging and those who have used the REC tell us they have made an incredibly positive difference to their experience of the justice system.