Abstract
The legal process assumes that the legal professionals will be able to communicate with their clients, the police will be able to take statements from those who understand what they are saying and the court expects the participants to be able to explain themselves directly. However, when a witness is born Deaf, uses British Sign Language and is a member of the Deaf community, then a different form of interaction is required. This chapter examines the roots of legal practice in dealing with Deaf people and traces the significant arguments and circumstances from the 13th century to the present time.
| Translated title of the contribution | Witnesses who use British Sign Language |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Title of host publication | Witness Testimony: Psychological, Investigative and Evidential Perspectives |
| Editors | A Heaton-Armstrong, E Shepherd, G Gudjonsson, D Wolchover |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| Pages | 231 - 246 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| ISBN (Print) | 0199278091 |
| Publication status | Published - 2006 |