Justice-wide Intermediary Services - Preliminary Market Engagement

The MoJ is currently exploring the future of intermediary services provision and conducting preliminary market engagement, prior to any procurement process. This notice is published for transparency purposes in accordance with the Procurement Act (2023) and does not constitute the commencement of a procurement.

The MoJ is exploring how these services may be delivered across the Ministry and the wider justice sector. Services being considered include those currently provided under the HMCTS Appointed Intermediary Services Frameworks (HAIS) and the Witness Intermediary Scheme (WIS), in addition to ad hoc intermediary services provided to support His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the Parole Board.

You can find out more about the current HAIS arrangements at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hmcts-intermediary-services#about-hmcts-intermediary-services

You can find out more about the current Witness Intermediary Scheme at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ministry-of-justice-witness-intermediary-scheme

Intermediaries are impartial communication specialists whose primary responsibility is to enable complete, coherent and accurate communication with vulnerable witnesses, defendants and parties in the justice system, in order to improve the quality of evidence and facilitate the vulnerable person’s understanding and participation in the proceedings.

The role of an intermediary includes making an assessment and reporting, orally or in writing, about the communication needs of the vulnerable person and the steps that should be taken to meet those needs. It also includes implementing those measures, at a court hearing or interview, for example at a solicitor’s office or police station.