51Court may close proceeding to public

51 Court may close proceeding to public

S. 51(1) amended by No. 42/2014 s. 128.

(1) If the court considers it necessary to do so to prevent a party or a witness in a proceeding under this Act or a litigation restraint order proceeding from being caused undue distress or embarrassment, the court may—

(a) order that the whole or part of the proceeding be heard in closed court; or

(b) order that only persons or classes of persons specified in the order may be present during the whole or any part of the proceeding.

S. 51(2) amended by No. 52/2013 s. 72.

(2) If the court makes an order under subsection (1), the court must cause a copy of the order to be posted on a door of, or in another conspicuous place at, the place at which the court is being held.

(3) A person must not contravene an order made and posted under this section.

1. 1000 penalty units or imprisonment for 3 months.