Pre-Recorded Evidence (PRE): activate your account and change your password
Published 6 September 2024
Applies to England and Wales
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-use-the-pre-recorded-evidence-pre-service/pre-recorded-evidence-pre-activate-your-account-and-change-your-password
This service is in a pilot phase with selected courts. It will be available to defence and prosecution representatives in cases across England and Wales in 2025.
Before you start
The Pre-Recorded Evidence (PRE) service is an HMCTS-owned and managed platform that allows you to view recordings of pre-recorded cross-examination evidence before a criminal trial.
You will need to register for an account before being able to view pre-recorded video evidence on the PRE service.
Once you have registered and activated your account, you can start accessing and booking recordings.
Activate your account
1. Open the link in your registration email or here to the PRE service.
2. On the sign in page, select ‘Sign up now’.
3. Enter the email address the registration invitation was sent to, then select ‘Send verification code’.
4. Check your email for the verification code. Copy and paste the code into the ‘Verification code’ field and then select ‘Verify code’.
If after a few minutes the code has not arrived, check your junk or spam folder. If it is not there, select ‘Send new code’. If it still does not arrive, contact the helpline.
5. Create and enter a password. Select ‘Password criteria’ for guidance. Then check the box that you agree to the terms and conditions and select ‘Create’.
6. If your account is successfully activated, you will see a welcome dashboard.
7. If there is a problem with your account activation, you will see an error page. This may be because you have used the wrong email address. Select ‘sign in again’ to retry. If it still does not work, contact the helpline.
Change your password
1. If you have forgotten your password or need to change it, select ‘Forgot your password’ on the sign in page.
2. Enter your registered email address, then select ‘Send verification code’.
3. Check your email for the verification code. Copy and paste the code into the ‘Verification code’ field and then select ‘Verify code’.
If after a few minutes the code has not arrived, check your junk or spam folder. If it is not there, select ‘Send new code’. If it still does not arrive, contact the helpline.
4. Your email address will be verified, if correct as registered. Select ‘Continue’.
5. Create and enter your new password. Select ‘Password criteria’ for guidance. Then select ‘Continue’.
6. You will be taken to the welcome dashboard.
Get help and guidance
Contact the Courts and Tribunals Service Centre (CTSC) if you need further help with:
- registering with PRE
- using PRE once you have registered
- accessing your account
- getting a unique reference number for a case
- booking a recording
Telephone: 0300 323 0194 Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6pm Saturday, 8am to 2pm Closed on Sundays and bank holidays Find out about call charges
Email: contactcrime@justice.gov.uk
Read the Pre-Recorded Evidence (PRE) service terms and conditions