The Fair Employment Tribunal (Rules of Procedure) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005

Hearings which may be held in private

15.—(1) A hearing or part of one may be conducted in private for the purposes of –

(a) hearing evidence which in the opinion of the tribunal or chairman relates to matters of such a nature that it would be against the interests of national security, public safety or public order to allow the evidence to be given in public;

(b) hearing evidence from any person which in the opinion of the tribunal or chairman is likely to consist of information –

(i) which he could not disclose without contravening a prohibition imposed by or under any statutory provision;

(ii) which has been communicated to him in confidence, or which he has otherwise obtained in consequence of the confidence placed in him by another person;

(iii) the disclosure of which would, for reasons other than its effect on negotiations with respect to any of the matters mentioned in Article 96(1) of the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992(1), cause substantial injury to any undertaking of his or any undertaking in which he works; or

(iv) the disclosure of which would create a substantial risk that he or another individual would be subject to physical attack or sectarian harassment.

(2) Where a tribunal or chairman decides to hold a hearing or part of one in private, it or he shall give reasons for doing so.

(1)

S.I. 1992/807 (N.I. 5)