47 Restrictions on reporting directions under [F1Chapter 1, 1A or 2].E+W+N.I.
(1)Except as provided by this section, no publication shall include a report of a matter falling within subsection (2).
(2)The matters falling within this subsection are—
(a)a direction under section 19 [F2, 33A] or 36 or an order discharging, or (in the case of a direction under section 19) varying, such a direction;
[F3(aa) a direction under Article 7 or 24 of the Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 or an order discharging, or (in the case of a direction under Article 7) varying, such a direction;]
(b)proceedings—
(i)on an application for such a direction or order, or
(ii)where the court acts of its own motion to determine whether to give or make any such direction or order.
(3)The court dealing with a matter falling within subsection (2) may order that subsection (1) is not to apply, or is not to apply to a specified extent, to a report of that matter.
(4)Where—
(a)there is only one accused in the relevant proceedings, and
(b)he objects to the making of an order under subsection (3),
the court shall make the order if (and only if) satisfied after [F4considering (in the case of proceedings in England and Wales) or hearing (in the case of other proceedings)] the representations of the accused that it is in the interests of justice to do so; and if the order is made it shall not apply to the extent that a report deals with any such objections or representations.
(5)Where—
(a)there are two or more accused in the relevant proceedings, and
(b)one or more of them object to the making of an order under subsection (3),
the court shall make the order if (and only if) satisfied after [F5considering (in the case of proceedings in England and Wales) or hearing (in the case of other proceedings)] the representations of each of the accused that it is in the interests of justice to do so; and if the order is made it shall not apply to the extent that a report deals with any such objections or representations.
(6)Subsection (1) does not apply to the inclusion in a publication of a report of matters after the relevant proceedings are either—
(a)determined (by acquittal, conviction or otherwise), or
(b)abandoned,
in relation to the accused or (if there is more than one) in relation to each of the accused.
(7)In this section “the relevant proceedings” means the proceedings to which any such direction as is mentioned in subsection (2) relates or would relate.
(8)Nothing in this section affects any prohibition or restriction by virtue of any other enactment on the inclusion of matter in a publication.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 47 heading substituted (E.W.N.I.) (1.4.2007) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), s. 53(1), Sch. 14 para. 37(2); S.I. 2007/709, art. 3(p) (with art. 6)
F2Words in s. 47(2)(a) inserted (E.W.N.I.) (1.4.2007) by Police and Justice Act 2006 (c. 48), s. 53(1), Sch. 14 para. 37(3); S.I. 2007/709, art. 3(p) (with art. 6)
F3S. 47(2)(aa) inserted (30.6.2003 for specified purposes, 1.12.2003 for specified purposes, 8.11.2004 for specified purposes, 21.12.2004 for specified purposes) by The Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/2789), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 6 (with Sch. 2); S.R. 2003/323, art. 2, Sch.; S.R. 2003/476, arts. 2, 4; S.R. 2004/468, art. 2; S.R. 2004/531, art. 2
F4Words in s. 47(4) substituted (28.6.2022) by Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (c. 35), ss. 15(6), 51(3)
F5Words in s. 47(5) substituted (28.6.2022) by Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 (c. 35), ss. 15(6), 51(3)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 47 applied (with modifications) by 1998 c. 37, s. 1I(5) (as inserted (1.7.2005) by Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (c. 15), ss. 143, 178(8); S.I. 2005/1521, art. 3(1)(s))
C2S. 47 applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2004/1988 (N.I. 12), art. 6C(5) (as inserted (18.9.2006) by The Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/1965), arts. 1(2)(a), 6; S.R. 2006/368, art. 2(a))
C3S. 47 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (20.10.2014) by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 31(4), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2014/2590, art. 3(a)
C4S. 47 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (23.3.2015) by Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (c. 12), ss. 16(4), 185(1) (with ss. 21, 33, 42, 58, 75, 93); S.I. 2015/373, art. 4(a)
C5S. 47 applied (with modifications) (26.5.2016) by Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (c. 2), ss. 33(4), 63(2); S.I. 2016/553, reg. 2
C6S. 47 applied (with modifications) (26.5.2016) by Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (c. 2), ss. 34(4), 63(2); S.I. 2016/553, reg. 2
C7S. 47 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (1.12.2020) by Sentencing Act 2020 (c. 17), ss. 340(4)(a), 416(1) (with ss. 2, 398(1), 406, Sch. 27); S.I. 2020/1236, reg. 2
Commencement Information
I1S. 47 wholly in force at 24.7.2002; Pt. II Chs. 1-4 (ss. 16-52) in force for certain purposes at Royal Assent, see s. 68(4); s. 47 in force in so far as not already in force for E.W. at 24.7.2002 by S.I. 2002/1739, art. 2(d)
I2S. 47 in force at 8.11.2004 for N.I. in so far as not already in force by S.R. 2004/467, art. 2(b)