The Family Procedure Rules 2010

Attendance at private hearings E+W

27.11.—(1) This rule applies when proceedings are held in private, except in relation to —

(a) hearings conducted for the purpose of judicially assisted conciliation or negotiation;

(b) proceedings to which the following provisions apply—

(i) Part 13 (proceedings under section 54 [F1 or section 54A] of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008);

(ii) Part 14 (procedure for applications in adoption, placement and related proceedings); and

(iii) any proceedings identified in a practice direction as being excepted from this rule.

(2) When this rule applies, no person shall be present during any hearing other than—

(a) an officer of the court;

(b) a party to the proceedings;

(c) a litigation friend for any party, or legal representative instructed to act on that party's behalf;

(d) an officer of the service or Welsh family proceedings officer;

(e) a witness;

(f) duly accredited representatives of news gathering and reporting organisations; F2 ...

[F3 (ff) a duly authorised lawyer attending for journalistic, research or public legal educational purposes; and]

(g) any other person whom the court permits [F4 , or who is required by any practice direction,] to be present.

[F5 (Practice Direction 27C makes provision for the attendance at hearings of Independent Domestic Violence Advisers and Independent Sexual Violence Advisers.)]

(3) At any stage of the proceedings the court may direct that persons within paragraph (2)(f) [F6 and (ff)] shall not attend the proceedings or any part of them, where satisfied that—

(a) this is necessary—

(i) in the interests of any child concerned in, or connected with, the proceedings;

(ii) for the safety or protection of a party, a witness in the proceedings, or a person connected with such a party or witness; or

(iii) for the orderly conduct of the proceedings; or

(b) justice will otherwise be impeded or prejudiced.

(4) The court may exercise the power in paragraph (3) of its own initiative or pursuant to representations made by any of the persons listed in paragraph (5), and in either case having given to any person within paragraph (2)(f) [F7 or (ff)] who is in attendance an opportunity to make representations.

(5) At any stage of the proceedings, the following persons may make representations to the court regarding restricting the attendance of persons within paragraph (2)(f) [F8 and (ff)] in accordance with paragraph (3)—

(a) a party to the proceedings;

(b) any witness in the proceedings;

(c) where appointed, any children's guardian;

(d) where appointed, an officer of the service or Welsh family proceedings officer, on behalf of the child the subject of the proceedings;

(e) the child, if of sufficient age and understanding.

(6) This rule does not affect any power of the court to direct that witnesses shall be excluded until they are called for examination.

[F9 (7) In this rule—

“duly accredited” refers to accreditation in accordance with any administrative scheme for the time being approved for the purposes of this rule by the Lord Chancellor; and

“duly authorised lawyer” means a person who meets the criteria specified in Practice Direction 27B.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in rule 27.11(1)(b)(i) inserted (3.1.2019) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (Remedial) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1413), art. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 4(7)

F2 Word in rule 27.11(2)(f) omitted (1.10.2021) by virtue of The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2021 (S.I. 2021/875), rules 1, 10(a)(i)

F3 Rule 27.11(2)(ff) inserted (1.10.2021) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2021 (S.I. 2021/875), rules 1, 10(a)(ii)

F4 Words in rule 27.11(2)(g) inserted (6.4.2023) by The Family Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2023 (S.I. 2023/61), rules 1(3), 12(a)

F5 Words in rule 27.11 inserted (6.4.2023) by The Family Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2023 (S.I. 2023/61), rules 1(3), 12(b)

F6 Words in rule 27.11(3) inserted (1.10.2021) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2021 (S.I. 2021/875), rules 1, 10(b)

F7 Words in rule 27.11(4) inserted (1.10.2021) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2021 (S.I. 2021/875), rules 1, 10(c)

F8 Words in rule 27.11(5) inserted (1.10.2021) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2021 (S.I. 2021/875), rules 1, 10(b)

F9 Rule 27.11(7) substituted (1.10.2021) by The Family Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2021 (S.I. 2021/875), rules 1, 10(d)