6

An oral hearing shall be in public except where the chairman, or in the case of an appeal tribunal which has only one member, that member, is satisfied that it is necessary to hold the hearing, or part of the hearing, in private—

a

in the interests of national security, morals, public order or children;

b

for the protection of the private or family life of one or more parties to the proceedings; or

c

in special circumstances, because publicity would prejudice the interests of justice.

7

At an oral hearing—

a

any party to the proceedings shall be entitled to be present and be heard; and

b

the following persons may be present by means of a live television link—

i

a party to the proceedings or his representative or both; or

ii

where an appeal tribunal consists of more than one member, a tribunal member other than the chairman,

provided that the person who constitutes or is the chairman of the tribunal gives permission and the appellant consents.

10

Nothing in paragraph (9) affects the rights of—

a

any person mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of that paragraph where he is sitting as a member of a tribunal or acting as its clerk; or

b

the clerk to the tribunal,

and nothing in this regulation prevents the presence at an oral hearing of any witness or of any person whom the chairman, or in the case of an appeal tribunal which has only one member, that member, permits to be present in order to assist the appeal tribunal or the clerk.

13

In this regulation “live television link” means a live television link or other facilities which allow a person who is not physically present at an oral hearing to see and hear proceedings and be seen and heard by those physically present.