Section 31 Removal of accused from court.

After section 337A of the 1975 Act there shall be inserted the following section—

“ Removal of accused from court.

337B

(1)

Without prejudice to section 338 of this Act, and subject to subsection (2) below, no part of a trial shall take place outwith the presence of the accused.

(2)

If during the course of his trial an accused so misconducts himself that in the view of the court a proper trial cannot take place unless he is removed, the court may order—

(a)

that he is removed from the court for so long as his conduct makes it necessary; and

(b)

that the trial proceeds in his absence,

but if he is not legally represented the court shall appoint counsel or a solicitor to represent his interests during such absence.”.