The Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2019

Public or private hearings

35.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2), (4), (5) and (6), every hearing of the Tribunal must take place in public.

(2) Any person who claims to be affected by an application may apply to the Tribunal for the hearing of the application to be conducted in private on the grounds of—

(a) exceptional hardship; or

(b) exceptional prejudice

to a party, a witness or any person affected by the hearing.

(3) Any person who makes an application under paragraph (2) must serve a copy of that application and a Statement in support on all parties to the proceedings. If there is no objection to the application from any of the parties, the Tribunal will consider the application on the papers unless it considers that it is in the interests of justice for the application to be considered at an oral hearing.

(4) If the Tribunal decides that the application made under paragraph (2) is to be considered at an oral hearing, that hearing will take place in private unless the Tribunal directs otherwise.

(5) The Tribunal may, before or during a hearing, direct without an application from any party that the hearing or part of it be held in private if—

(a) the Tribunal is satisfied that it would have granted an application under paragraph (2) had one been made; or

(b) the Tribunal considers that a hearing in public would prejudice the interests of justice.

(6) The Tribunal may give a direction excluding from any hearing or part of it any person—

(a) whose conduct the Tribunal considers is disrupting or likely to disrupt the hearing;

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

(c) whose attendance at the hearing would otherwise prejudice the overriding objective of these Rules.

(7) Other than a party to the proceedings, a factual witness is excluded from the hearing until their evidence has been given, unless the parties agree or the Tribunal directs otherwise.

(8) Save in exceptional circumstances, where the Tribunal disposes of proceedings following a hearing held in private, it must announce its decision in a public session.

(9) The Tribunal may make a direction prohibiting the disclosure or publication of any matter likely to lead to the identification of any person whom the Tribunal considers should not be identified.

(10) The Tribunal may give a direction prohibiting the disclosure of a document or information to a person if it is satisfied that—

(a) the disclosure would be likely to cause any person serious harm; and

(b) it is in the interests of justice to make such a direction.