16.3.—(1) The court may give a reporting direction under section 46 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 in relation to a witness in those proceedings, notwithstanding that the five business days specified in rule 16.2(3) have not expired if—
(a)an application is made to it for the purposes of this rule; and
(b)it is satisfied that, due to exceptional circumstances, it is appropriate to do so.
(2) Any party to the proceedings may make the application under paragraph (1) whether or not an application has already been made under rule 16.1.
(3) An application under paragraph (1) may be made orally or in writing.
(4) If an application is made orally, the court may hear and take into account representations made to it by any person who in the court’s view has a legitimate interest in the application before it.
(5) The application must specify the exceptional circumstances on which the applicant relies.
[Note. Formerly rule 4 of the Magistrates' Courts (Reports Relating to Adult Witnesses) Rules 2004 and rule 4 of the Crown Court (Reports Relating to Adult Witnesses) Rules 2004.]