PART I The Course of Justice

The trial

31 Removal of accused from court.

After section 337A of the 1975 Act there shall be inserted the following section—

337B Removal of accused from court.

1

Without prejudice to section 338 of this Act, and subject to subsection (2) below, no part of a trial shall take place outwith the presence of the accused.

2

If during the course of his trial an accused so misconducts himself that in the view of the court a proper trial cannot take place unless he is removed, the court may order—

a

that he is removed from the court for so long as his conduct makes it necessary; and

b

that the trial proceeds in his absence,

but if he is not legally represented the court shall appoint counsel or a solicitor to represent his interests during such absence.