Rule 90 General rule – hearing to be in private

(1)

The general rule is that a hearing is to be held in private.

(2)

A private hearing is a hearing which only the following persons are entitled to attend—

(a)

the parties;

(b)

P (whether or not a party);

(c)

any person acting in the proceedings as a litigation friend;

(d)

any legal representative of a person specified in any of sub-paragraphs (a) to (c); and

(e)

any court officer.

(3)

In relation to a private hearing, the court may make an order—

(a)

authorising any person, or class of persons, to attend the hearing or a part of it; or

(b)

excluding any person, or class of persons, from attending the hearing or a part of it.