(1)The 1995 Act is amended as follows.
(2)In section 273 (television link evidence from abroad), in subsection (1), for “solemn” substitute “criminal”.
(3)After that section insert—
(1)In any criminal proceedings in the High Court or the sheriff court a person other than the accused may give evidence through a live television link if—
(a)the witness is within the United Kingdom but outside Scotland,
(b)an application under this section for the issue of a letter of request has been granted, and
(c)the court is satisfied as to the arrangements for the giving of evidence in that manner by that witness.
(2)The prosecutor or the defence in any proceedings referred to in subsection (1) may apply for the issue of a letter of request.
(3)The application must be made to a judge of the court in which the trial is to take place or, if that court is not yet known, to a judge of the High Court.
(4)The judge may, on an application under this section, issue a letter to a court or tribunal exercising jurisdiction in the place where the witness is ordinarily resident requesting assistance in facilitating the giving of evidence by that witness through a live television link, if the judge is satisfied of the matters set out in subsection (5).
(5)Those matters are—
(a)that the evidence which it is averred the witness is able to give is necessary for the proper adjudication of the trial,
(b)that the granting of the application—
(i)is in the interests of justice, and
(ii)in the case of an application by the prosecutor, is not unfair to the accused.”.