As an intermediary with a vulnerable defendant in Criminal Courts or respondent in Family Courts, Tina Pereira will:

• Carry out an initial assessment of their communication skills and give an opinion on whether her input would enable the vulnerable person's participation with the trial more effective.

• Write a report for court, making recommendations in relation to useful modifications (similar to Special Measures for witnesses). She will advise on whether intermediary input is essential and necessary for the entire trial or whether input during giving evidence alone would be satisfactory.

• Attend and facilitate communication at Hearings, pre trial conferences, trial and sentencing. 

 

The recommendations made will focus on facilitating the vulnerable person's ability to participate effectively before and during the trial. They would relate to the areas of attention, understanding, communication and emotional regulation because all of these skills impact a vulnerable person’s ability to participate to the best of their ability. Intermediary input is typically contemporaneous, as a trial/hearing progresses. 

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She will advise on the use of communication aids that could supplement spoken language and explain clearly how specific ones need to be selected, introduced and managed in real time. 

 

Tina will make recommendations for questioning in order to elicit a vulnerable person's evidence in chief to the best of their ability, as well as for cross examination, so that any disruption to the flow of the proceedings is minimised. 

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