Under which act can anonymity be granted to adult witnesses in fear or distress?

Anonymity for adult witnesses who are experiencing fear or distress is specifically covered under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. This legislation allows for the protection of witnesses in certain criminal proceedings by enabling the courts to grant them anonymity if revealing their identity could result in significant distress or fear for their safety, thereby encouraging them to provide necessary evidence without fear of repercussions.

The potential for anonymity serves to enhance the integrity of the judicial process by ensuring that witnesses can participate fully and truthfully, which is crucial for achieving justice. The Act establishes criteria and procedures that the courts must follow to determine whether anonymity should be granted, involving considerations of the witness's wellbeing and the interests of justice.

Other acts listed do not specifically address the issue of anonymity for adult witnesses in the context of fear or distress. While the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and the Human Rights Act 2000 may relate to broader aspects of criminal justice and human rights, they do not specifically focus on the provisions for adult witness anonymity. The Public Order Act 1986 is primarily concerned with offenses related to public order, which also diverges from the specific protections outlined for witnesses under the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act.