Victim

As a victim of a crime, your evidence is needed to establish, beyond reasonable doubt, if the defendant is guilty of the crime they are charged with.

If you have never been to court before you might not know what to expect. The following will give you an idea of what you might expect.

Victim Support has produced an information leaflet for witnesses and victims going to court in the Isle of Man. These leaflets can be found at the public counter.

What should I do when I get to court?

When you arrive at the courthouse you will have to pass through security. You should then go to the courthouse reception. The receptionist will advise you which courtroom your case is in and where to wait. The prosecution may have booked a witness room, if they have you will be directed to this room. You must wait there until you are called.

Who will be in the courtroom?

A trial in the Court of General Gaol Delivery is an 'open' court. This means you should expect to see the following people in the courtroom:

• the Deemster;
• the defendant;
• the prosecution;
• the jury;
• the court clerk;
• the court usher;
• the media (newspapers, radio, etc);
• the dock officer; and
• any members of the public sitting in the public gallery.

What do I call the judge?

The judge in the Court of General Gaol Delivery is a Deemster, and is addressed as:

Your Honour

My Evidence

Your name will called when it is time to give your evidence. The court usher will lead you to the witness box in the courtroom.

You must be sworn in before you give your evidence. To do this you will be asked to take the oath on a Holy Book of your religion, or you can affirm (promise) to tell the truth. The court usher will usually check with you before court which you want to do. You must read aloud from the oath/affirmation card. If you have trouble reading the card, the court usher will read it to you, you must repeat what they say.

Advocates for the prosecution and the defence will then ask you questions:

• the prosecution will firstly take you through your evidence;
• the defence advocate will then ask you some questions (cross-examine);
• the prosecution will then have a chance to ask you some further questions (re-examine);and
• the Deemster may, if he wishes, ask you any further questions.

After you have finished giving your evidence, the Deemster will formally release you as a witness and then you may leave the courthouse, or if you wish, sit in the public gallery and listen to the hearing.

Please be aware that, under section 27(4) of the High Court Act 1991, all court proceedings are digitally recorded. For further information please refer to our In-Court Technology section.