The Department of Justice has today published a response in which it said it was upgrading courtroom video-link technology and would consider all requests for upgraded courthouse facilities.

A workshop held with the NSPCC Young Witness Service found that young victims valued separate waiting areas and video-link facilities, but felt anxious where there were not separate toilet facilities.

The workshop highlighted the need for “self-contained waiting rooms, toilet facilities and private access to avoid the defendant”, and recommended “the removal of young witness cases from court locations that may be viewed as not fit for purpose”.

It also identified a “common issue … court staff having difficulty operating the video-link equipment or the equipment not working”.

In its response, the Department pointed out that the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS) agreed a new contract for the support and development of courtroom technology in March.

Under the contract, all NICTS technology currently used in courts “will be refreshed and standardised” over a five-year period.

The Department also said that NICTS “works closely with NSPCC’s young witness service regarding accommodation at court venues under the joint partnership protocol”.

It said it would consider requests for “additional or upgraded facilities at any particular court”, but did not have any outstanding requests.