The Magistrates' Courts (Reports Relating to Adult Witnesses) Rules 2004

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Rules)

These Rules contain provisions relating to applications for reporting directions in respect of adult witnesses under section 46 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. A reporting direction is a direction by the court that no matter relating to the witness is to be included in any publication during the witness’s lifetime if it is likely to lead members of the public to identify him as a witness in proceedings.

Rule 2 provides for applications for a reporting direction. Rule 3 provides that any party to the proceedings who seeks to oppose the application for a reporting direction must do so by notifying the court as well as all parties to those proceedings. Rule 4 makes provision for urgent applications to the court to make a reporting direction in exceptional circumstances.

Rule 5 contains provision for applications for an excepting direction to dispense with the restrictions imposed by a reporting direction. Rule 6 contains provision relating to applications for the revocation of reporting directions or the variation or revocation of excepting directions. Rule 7 contains provision for extensions of time.

Rule 9 provides that where proceedings are sent or transferred to the Crown Court, copies of all relevant directions must be provided to that court.