Public hearings and directions for private hearings
26.—(1) In this rule, “hearing” means any oral hearing under these Rules except for a directions hearing that takes place without notice to the other parties under rule 15(2) (exceptions to disclosure).
(2) All hearings must be in public except for in the limited circumstances specified in this rule.
(3) The Tribunal may direct that all or part of a hearing is to be in private upon the request of any party, if the Tribunal is satisfied that a hearing in private is necessary in the circumstances and would not prejudice the interests of justice.
(4) Before determining a request under paragraph (3), the Tribunal must give any other party an opportunity to make representations.
(5) Before giving a direction under paragraph (3) that all of a hearing should be in private, the Tribunal must consider whether it is only necessary that part of the hearing should be in private.
(6) The Tribunal may direct that any proceedings are to be held in private and may direct that any particular individual be excluded from those proceedings.
(7) The Tribunal may permit any individual to attend a hearing, which is to be held in private.
(8) The Tribunal may exclude from the whole or part of any hearing any person whose conduct, in the opinion of the Tribunal, has disrupted or is likely to disrupt, the hearing.
(9) Subject to any direction under paragraph (10), the Tribunal must provide for the public inspection of—
(a)a daily list of all hearings; and
(b)information about the time and place fixed for the hearings.
(10) Where all or part of a hearing is held or is to be held in private, the Tribunal may direct that information about the whole or the relevant part of the proceedings before the Tribunal (including information that might help to identify any person) must not be made public.
(11) Where a direction is given under paragraph (10), the Tribunal must state what information (if any), is to be entered in the register or removed from it.