Assessor Resource

PSPCRT003
Manage witnesses

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the skills required to manage witnesses attending court to give evidence face-to-face or via audio-visual link facilities. It includes facilitating witnesses' court appearances and maintaining the integrity of court proceedings in a remote witness room.

This unit applies to those working within the court system operating under procedures set by the court.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those relating to WHS and those set by the court.

Those undertaking this unit would generally work independently with occasional supervisory responsibilities. They would perform complex tasks in a range of familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Facilitate court appearances of witnesses

1.1 Apply requirements regarding presence of witnesses according to for the type of proceeding.

1.2 Identify witnesses and provide details to the court.

1.3 Record witness details and report non-appearances.

1.4 Call witnesses, escort them to the witness box and swear in, if required.

1.5 Provide appropriate screening or audio-visual link for witnesses who are apprehensive of giving evidence in front of an accused, at the direction of the presiding official.

1.6 Complete administrative duties relating to witness appearances.

2. Maintain the integrity of court proceedings in a remote witness room

2.1 Prepare witness room and equipment.

2.2 Position witness and other authorised persons so they are visible and clearly audible to the court.

2.3 Maintain security of witnesses, witness rooms and exhibits and report any attempted security breach to the court.

2.4 Perform functions in the witness room according to set role.

2.5 Deliver witnesses at the end of the evidence and examination into the care of a responsible person and return exhibits.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion:

applying legislation, rules, practices and procedures of the court environment

making oral presentations to call witnesses and administer oaths and affirmations

eliciting witness information

dealing effectively with legal representatives and judge's associates

completing court forms

operating court technology

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

types of proceedings

role and function of sheriff's officer or court officer in relation to witnesses giving evidence in person and via audio-visual link

legislative requirements of witnesses

court and standard operating procedures and protocols relating to witnesses

documentary and administrative requirements relating to witnesses appearing in court

ethical work practices

Assessment of this unit requires evidence gathered over time, in a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the diverse conditions likely to be encountered when managing witnesses.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Facilitate court appearances of witnesses

1.1 Apply requirements regarding presence of witnesses according to for the type of proceeding.

1.2 Identify witnesses and provide details to the court.

1.3 Record witness details and report non-appearances.

1.4 Call witnesses, escort them to the witness box and swear in, if required.

1.5 Provide appropriate screening or audio-visual link for witnesses who are apprehensive of giving evidence in front of an accused, at the direction of the presiding official.

1.6 Complete administrative duties relating to witness appearances.

2. Maintain the integrity of court proceedings in a remote witness room

2.1 Prepare witness room and equipment.

2.2 Position witness and other authorised persons so they are visible and clearly audible to the court.

2.3 Maintain security of witnesses, witness rooms and exhibits and report any attempted security breach to the court.

2.4 Perform functions in the witness room according to set role.

2.5 Deliver witnesses at the end of the evidence and examination into the care of a responsible person and return exhibits.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion:

applying legislation, rules, practices and procedures of the court environment

making oral presentations to call witnesses and administer oaths and affirmations

eliciting witness information

dealing effectively with legal representatives and judge's associates

completing court forms

operating court technology

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

types of proceedings

role and function of sheriff's officer or court officer in relation to witnesses giving evidence in person and via audio-visual link

legislative requirements of witnesses

court and standard operating procedures and protocols relating to witnesses

documentary and administrative requirements relating to witnesses appearing in court

ethical work practices

Assessment of this unit requires evidence gathered over time, in a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the diverse conditions likely to be encountered when managing witnesses.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Apply requirements regarding presence of witnesses according to for the type of proceeding. 
Identify witnesses and provide details to the court. 
Record witness details and report non-appearances. 
Call witnesses, escort them to the witness box and swear in, if required. 
Provide appropriate screening or audio-visual link for witnesses who are apprehensive of giving evidence in front of an accused, at the direction of the presiding official. 
Complete administrative duties relating to witness appearances. 
Prepare witness room and equipment. 
Position witness and other authorised persons so they are visible and clearly audible to the court. 
Maintain security of witnesses, witness rooms and exhibits and report any attempted security breach to the court. 
Perform functions in the witness room according to set role. 
Deliver witnesses at the end of the evidence and examination into the care of a responsible person and return exhibits. 
Apply requirements regarding presence of witnesses according to for the type of proceeding. 
Identify witnesses and provide details to the court. 
Record witness details and report non-appearances. 
Call witnesses, escort them to the witness box and swear in, if required. 
Provide appropriate screening or audio-visual link for witnesses who are apprehensive of giving evidence in front of an accused, at the direction of the presiding official. 
Complete administrative duties relating to witness appearances. 
Prepare witness room and equipment. 
Position witness and other authorised persons so they are visible and clearly audible to the court. 
Maintain security of witnesses, witness rooms and exhibits and report any attempted security breach to the court. 
Perform functions in the witness room according to set role. 
Deliver witnesses at the end of the evidence and examination into the care of a responsible person and return exhibits. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PSPCRT003 - Manage witnesses
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

PSPCRT003 - Manage witnesses

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: