Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017

Exclusion of public from hearings of proceedings under Act of 1908

29. (1) In any proceedings for an offence under the Act of 1908, the judge or the court, as the case may be, shall exclude from the court during the hearing all persons except officers of the court, persons directly concerned in the proceedings, bona fide representatives of the press and such other persons (if any) as the judge or the court, as the case may be, may, in his, her or its discretion, permit to remain.

(2) In any proceedings to which subsection (1) applies the verdict or decision and the sentence (if any) shall be announced in public.