PART 3Proceedings before the Tribunal

CHAPTER 2Hearings

Public and private hearings30

1

Subject to the following paragraphs, all hearings must be held in public.

2

A hearing in a criminal injuries compensation case must be held in private unless—

a

the appellant has consented to the hearing being held in public; and

b

the Tribunal considers that it is in the interests of justice for the hearing to be held in public.

3

The Tribunal may give a direction that a hearing, or part of it, is to be held in private.

4

Where a hearing, or part of it, is to be held in private, the Tribunal may determine who is permitted to attend the hearing or part of it.

5

The Tribunal may give a direction excluding from any hearing, or part of it—

a

any person whose conduct the Tribunal considers is disrupting or is likely to disrupt the hearing;

b

any person whose presence the Tribunal considers is likely to prevent another person from giving evidence or making submissions freely;

c

any person who the Tribunal considers should be excluded in order to give effect to a direction under rule 14(2) (withholding information likely to cause harm); or

d

any person where the purpose of the hearing would be defeated by the attendance of that person.

6

The Tribunal may give a direction excluding a witness from a hearing until that witness gives evidence.