The pilot scheme will take place in three Crown Courts[GETTY]Vulnerable individuals are to be given the opportunity to give evidence and undergo cross-examination away from the intense atmosphere of the courtroom.
It is hoped that this will protect them from aggressive questioning in front of judge, jury and potentially an alleged attacker.
Cross-examination would be performed by the prosecution and defence barristers ahead of the trial in front of a judge, before being shown to the jury during the trial.
Leeds, Liverpool and Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Courts will test the new scheme, with the Ministry of Justice aiming to roll it out more widely if successful.
Following a visit to Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to see how it would work in practice, Victims' Minister Damian Green said: "It is crucial that people who have experienced or reported horrific crimes are given the highest possible level of protection and support. I am determined that their needs will be put first.
"It is vital the right to a fair trial is upheld. As part of that, if someone is accused of a crime they should be brought to justice as swiftly as possible.
"If you have experienced a horrendous crime, giving evidence in the pressured environment of a live courtroom, in front of the jury and the public gallery, can be intimidating and perhaps too much to ask.
"That's why we are trying a new approach, the first of its kind, which prioritises the victim.
"I hope this test will allow pre-trial cross-examination to take place more widely."
The pilot scheme could save victims from having to face their alleged attackers [GETTY - PIC POSED BY MODELS]If you have experienced a horrendous crime, giving evidence in the pressured environment of a live courtroom can be intimidating and perhaps too much to ask
Although vulnerable witnesses and victims are currently able to give evidence via video link or from behind a screen, the new measures would take protection a step further.
The pilot scheme will take place over a six-month period.
Adam Pemberton, assistant chief executive at Victim Support, said: "We welcome these pilots because repeated, aggressive questioning of vulnerable witnesses in a packed courtroom cannot be the best way to obtain sound and accurate evidence.
"More importantly, it is not the right way to protect vulnerable victims and witnesses from what can often be a distressing and traumatic experience.
"Victims and witnesses are entitled to a fair trial as well as defendants and we believe pre-recorded evidence taken in a less intense environment and when events are fresher in the mind will help level the playing field.
"However, it remains critical that vulnerable and intimidated witnesses get specialist help and support throughout the criminal justice process too."
Victims' Commissioner Baroness Newlove also praised the decision to trial the new system.
She said: "Vulnerable victims deserve the best possible protection from the hostile courtroom.
"While this is a welcome step for victims, I will be urging the Government to go further. There needs to be a total culture change in the way that victims are treated by the courts, especially when it comes to cross-examination.
"When it comes to the trial, we all too often let victims down by not treating them with basic human decency.
"Prosecutors have an important responsibility to protect victims from gruelling and repeat questioning by multiple defence lawyers.
"We can improve this by providing everyone with clearer and more open CPS policy on pre-trial counselling and give victims better guidance on the support available to help them cope with the stresses of the trial."
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