4I.—(1) Subject to this section and any other enactment, a proceeding under this Part shall be conducted in open court.

(2) Where a court conducting a proceeding under this Part is satisfied, because of the nature or circumstances of the case or otherwise in the interests of justice, that it is desirable to do so, it may exclude from the court during the proceeding—

(a) the public or any portion of the public, or

(b) any particular person or persons,

except bona fide representatives of the Press.

F20[(3) Subsection (2) is without prejudice to the right of—

(a) a parent, relative or friend of the accused or of an injured party, or

(b) a support worker chosen by an injured party,

to remain in court in any case to which section 20(4) of the Criminal Justice Act 1951, section 6 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Act 1981, section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Act 2012 or section 20 of the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 applies.]]

F21[(4) In this section, ‘support worker’ means a volunteer of, or an individual employed under a contract of service or under a contract for services by, an organisation which provides support to victims of crime.]