Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017
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Power to exclude public | ||
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20. (1) In any proceedings relating to an offence, where a court is satisfied— | ||
(a) that the nature or circumstances of the case are such that there is a need to protect a victim of the offence from secondary and repeat victimisation, intimidation or retaliation, and | ||
(b) it would not be contrary to the interests of justice in the case, | ||
the court may, on the application of the prosecution, exclude from the court during such proceedings— | ||
(i) the public or any portion of the public, or | ||
(ii) any particular person or persons, | ||
except officers of the court and bona fide representatives of the Press. | ||
(2) Subsection (1) is without prejudice to— | ||
(a) the right of— | ||
(i) a parent, relative or friend of the victim, | ||
(ii) a support worker of the victim’s choice, | ||
(iii) where the accused person is under the age of 18 years, a parent, relative or friend of the accused person, or | ||
(iv) an appropriate person under section 18 , | ||
to remain in court, and | ||
(b) the power of a court to exclude the public or any person from the court under any other enactment or rule of law. | ||
(3) In this section, “support worker” means a volunteer of, or an individual employed under a contract of service or under a contract for services by, an organisation which provides support to victims of crime. |