Witness

If you are called as a witness in a criminal case it may mean that you:-

have seen or heard something in connection with the case;
have information about someone who is a party to the case; or
you are party to the case.

If you have been summonsed to court as a witness you must attend court on the date and time specified on the witness summons.

Victim support produce an information leaflet for witnesses and victims going to court in the Isle of Man. These leaflets can be found at the courthouse reception.

How do I get to court?

The High Court is located on Deemsters Walk, just off Bucks Road. A location map is available here.

What do I do when I get to court?

When you arrive at the courthouse you will have to pass through security. Once you have passed through security, you should go to the main courthouse reception. The receptionist will tell you which courtroom your case is in and where to wait.

The prosecution and defence advocates may each have booked a witness room. If a room has been booked you will be directed to one of these, and must wait in there until you are called to give your evidence. Sometimes a witness room will have been booked by Victim Support. If this is the case you will be greeted by a member of Victim Support either at reception or on the concourse outside the courtroom and shown to the relevant room to wait until you are called to give your evidence.

The hearing

When it is your turn to give evidence you will be called and lead 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.

Who will be in court?

In the courtroom there will be;

the Deemster;
the defendant;
the public (seated in the public gallery) and may include family and friends of the defendant and victim’s family;
the jury;
the court clerk;
the court usher;
any media (newspapers/radio, etc);
the dock officer; and
advocates for the prosecution and the defence.

What should I call the judge?

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

Your Honour

My evidence

During the hearing, advocates for both the prosecution and the defence will ask you questions.

If you are a witness for the prosecution:-

the prosecution advocate will go through your evidence first;
the defence advocate will then ask you some questions in reply (cross-examine);
the prosecution will then have a chance to ask you any further questions (re-examine); and
the Deemster then may ask you any questions he wishes.

If you are a witness for the defence:-

the defence advocate will go through your evidence first;
the prosecution advocate will then ask you some questions in reply (cross-examine);
the defence advocate may then ask you any further questions (re-examine); and
the Deemster then may ask you any questions he wishes.

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.