Magistrates' Courts Act 1980

71 Newspaper reports of domestic proceedings

(1) In the case of domestic proceedings in a magistrates' court (other than proceedings under the [1976 c. 36.] Adoption Act 1976) it shall not be lawful for the proprietor, editor or publisher of a newspaper or periodical to print or publish, or cause or procure to be printed or published, in it any particulars of the proceedings other than the following, that is to say—

(a) the names, addresses and occupations of the parties and witnesses;

(b) the grounds of the application, and a concise statement of the charges, defences and counter-charges in support of which evidence has been given ;

(c) submissions on any point of law arising in the course of the proceedings and the decision of the court on the submissions;

(d) the decision of the court, and any observations made by the court in giving it.

(2) In the case of domestic proceedings in a magistrates' court under the Adoption Act 1976, subsection (1) above shall apply with the omission of paragraphs (a) and (b) and the reference in that subsection to the particulars of the proceedings shall, in relation to any child concerned in the proceedings, include—

(a) the name, address or school of the child,

(b) any picture as being, or including, a picture of the child. and

(c) any other particulars calculated to lead to the identification of the child.

(3) Any person acting in contravention of this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500.

(4) No prosecution for an offence under this section shall be begun without the consent of the Attorney General.

(5) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the printing or publishing of any matter in a newspaper or periodical of a technical character bona fide intended for circulation among members of the legal or medical professions.

(6) Until the coming into operation of the [1976 c. 36.] Adoption Act 1976 this section shall have effect as if for any reference to that Act there were substituted a reference to the [1958 c. 5 (7 & 8 Eliz. 2).] Adoption Act 1958, the [1960 c. 59.] Adoption Act 1960 and Part I of the Children Act 1975 [1975 c. 72.] .