Children and Cross-Examination

In 2009, Stephen Barker was convicted of rape on the evidence of a little girl who was four-and-a-half years old at the trial, and about three-and-a-half when first interviewed by the police. The high point of the proceedings was the child''s appearance as a live witness in order for Barker''s counsel to attempt a cross-examination.

This case focused attention on the need, imposed by current Englis...