Children (Scotland) Act 1995

44 Prohibition of publication of proceedings at children’s hearing

(1) No person shall publish any matter in respect of proceedings at a children’s hearing, or before a sheriff on an application under section 57, section 60(7), section 65(6) or (8), section 76(1) or section 85(1) of this Act, or on any appeal under this Part of this Act, which is intended to, or is likely to, identify—

(a) any child concerned in the proceedings or appeal; or

(b) an address or school as being that of any such child.

(2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) above shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale in respect of each such contravention.

(3) It shall be a defence in proceedings for an offence under this section for the accused to prove that he did not know, and had no reason to suspect, that the published matter was intended, or was likely, to identify the child or, as the case may be, the address or school.

(4) In this section “to publish” includes, without prejudice to the generality of that expression,—

(a) to publish matter in a programme service, as defined by section 201 of the [1990 c. 42.] Broadcasting Act 1990 (definition of programme service); and

(b) to cause matter to be published.

(5) The requirements of subsection (1) above may, in the interests of justice, be dispensed with by—

(a) the sheriff in any proceedings before him;

(b) the Court of Session in any appeal under section 51(11) of this Act; or

(c) the Secretary of State in relation to any proceedings at a children’s hearing,

to such extent as the sheriff, the Court or the Secretary of State as the case may be considers appropriate.