The law allows certain witnesses to give their evidence via video link.

This includes:

• Alleged victims of sexual or serious violent offences.
• Alleged victims of family violence offences, and
• Children giving evidence.

These witnesses can give evidence via video link for matters in the:

• ACT Children's Court
• ACT Magistrates Court, and
• ACT Supreme Court.

If you do not fall into these categories, you will need approval from the Court or Tribunal to use a remote witness room to give your evidence via video link.

Sometimes people can access a remote witness room if they are concerned about their safety, or if they need extra support when going to an ACT Court or the Tribunal.

If you have safety concerns or need extra support, but you are not automatically allowed to give evidence from a remote witness room, you will need to ask permission from the Court.

This means even if you have made a booking and received a confirmation, your booking is not guaranteed unless ordered by a Judge, Magistrate or Registrar. As there are a limited number of remote witness rooms, people who are automatically eligible are given priority.

If your matter is a criminal proceeding: Make a request to give your evidence remotely to the prosecutor or the person who is assisting you in your matter.

If your matter is a Personal Protection Order or Family Violence Order:

Make a request to give evidence from a remote witness room to the Court directly. If needed, you can ask the person assisting you (your lawyer, Legal Aid, Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS), Victim Support ACT, or other person) to help you with making the request.

To submit your request, complete the Remote room request form. Please make sure you have saved your responses, and then:

* Email the form to ClientServices@courts.act.gov.au

OR

* Print the form and mail it to: ACT Law Courts, 4 Knowles Place, Canberra City 2601

OR

* Print the form and bring it to the ACT Courts and Tribunal building: 4-6 Knowles Place, Canberra City

Alternatively you can call the client services team on: (02) 6205 0322

• You know when your matter will
  be heard, and
• You have a matter number.