16Proceedings before courts

16 Proceedings before courts

16 Proceedings before courts

(1) Section 12 does not apply to proceedings before a court (including the giving of evidence) or the making of a decision by a court (including a decision concerning sentencing).

(2) However, a court before which evidence of a spent conviction is admitted must, in appropriate circumstances, take such steps as are reasonably available to it to prevent or minimise publication of that evidence.

(3) This Act does not affect any of the following provisions—

• section 15 of the Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987

• section 152 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986

• Part 3.8 (Character) of Chapter 3 and section 178 (Convictions, acquittals and other judicial proceedings) of the Evidence Act 1995.

s 16: Am 1995 No 27, Sch 1; 1999 No 94, Sch 4.14; 2001 No 121, Sch 2.78 [1].