PART 7PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATIONS IN MATRIMONIAL AND CIVIL PARTNERSHIP PROCEEDINGS
CHAPTER 3HOW THE COURT DETERMINES MATRIMONIAL AND CIVIL PARTNERSHIP PROCEEDINGS
General rule – hearing to be in public7.16
1
The general rule is that a hearing to which this Part applies is to be in public.
2
The requirement for a hearing to be in public does not require the court to make special arrangements for accommodating members of the public.
3
A hearing, or any part of it, may be in private if—
a
publicity would defeat the object of the hearing;
b
it involves matters relating to national security;
c
it involves confidential information (including information relating to personal financial matters ) and publicity would damage that confidentiality;
d
a private hearing is necessary to protect the interests of any child or protected party;
e
it is a hearing of an application made without notice and it would be unjust to any respondent for there to be a public hearing; or
f
the court considers this to be necessary, in the interests of justice.
4
A hearing of an application for rescission of an order by consent under rule 7.28 is, unless the court directs otherwise, to be in private.
5
The court may order that the identity of any party or witness must not be disclosed if it considers non-disclosure necessary in order to protect the interests of that party or witness.