18.—(1) Any person may (and, if in service custody, must) attend any proceedings by live link, if a judge advocate so directs.
(2) A person who attends any proceedings by live link, and could give oral evidence in the proceedings if he were in the place where the proceedings are being held, may give evidence by live link.
(3) In these Rules (except Part 15)—
(a)“live link” means an arrangement by which a person, when not in the place where proceedings are being held, is able to see and hear, and to be seen and heard by, the court during proceedings (and for this purpose any impairment of eyesight or hearing is to be disregarded); and
(b)references to bringing a person before the court include bringing him to a place from which he can attend proceedings by live link.
(4) A direction under this rule may be given by—
(a)the judge advocate for the proceedings; or
(b)the judge advocate for any preliminary proceedings as respects which the proceedings are related proceedings.
(5) Rule 49(3) (effect of a direction given in preliminary proceedings) applies to a direction under this rule given in preliminary proceedings.
(6) Where a direction is given under this rule in relation to a witness, the witness may not give evidence otherwise than by live link without the leave of the judge advocate.
(7) A judge advocate may give a direction under this rule, or give permission for the purposes of paragraph (6)—
(a)on an application by a party to the proceedings; or
(b)of his own motion.