523Proceedings to be heard in open court

523 Proceedings to be heard in open court S. 523(1) amended by No. 50/2009 s. 17. (1) Proceedings in the Court are, subject to subsection (2) and section 527A, to be conducted in open court. (2) The Court may, on the application of a party or of any other person who has a direct interest in the proceeding or without any such application— (a) order that the whole or any part of a proceeding be heard in closed court; or (b) order that only persons or classes of persons specified by it may be present during the whole or any part of a proceeding. (3) Any party to the proceeding and any other interested person has standing to support or oppose an application under subsection (2). (4) If an order has been made under this section, the Court must cause a copy of it to be posted on a door of, or in another conspicuous place at, the place at which the Court is being held. (5) An order posted under this section must not contain any particulars likely to lead to the identification of the child who is a party to the proceeding. (6) A person must not contravene an order made and posted under this section. (a) In the case of a person of or above the age of 18 years, 25 penalty units or committal for a term of not more than six months to prison; or (b) In the case of a child of or above the age of 15 years, 25 penalty units or detention for a period of not more than six months in a youth justice centre; or (c) In the case of a child under the age of 15 years, 12 penalty units or detention for a period of not more than three months in a youth residential centre.