38C.— (1) Except as provided by this section, evidence to be given, or a document to be produced, to the Commission by a person who appears before it in compliance with a requirement made under section 38A is to be given or produced in private.

(2) If a person who appears before the Commission in compliance with a requirement made under section 38A requests the matter to be dealt with in public, the Commission shall comply with the request.

(3) If the Commission is satisfied that it is desirable in the public interest that the evidence to be given, or the document to be produced, should be given or produced in public, the Commission may direct accordingly.

(4) If the evidence is to be given, or the document is to be produced, in private, the Commission may do either of the following:

(a) give directions as to the persons who may be present during the proceeding;

(b) give directions preventing or restricting the publication of the whole or any part of the evidence or of matters contained in the document.

(5) Nothing in a direction given under subsection (4) may prevent the presence of—

(a) a barrister, solicitor or other person who is representing the person who is appearing before the Commission, or

(b) a Commissioner or a member of the Commission’s staff.

(6) If the evidence is to be given, or the document is to be produced, in private, a person (other than the person required to appear before the Commission, that person’s barrister, solicitor or other representative, a Commissioner or a member of the Commission’s staff) may be present only if entitled to be present because of a direction given under subsection (4)(a).

(7) A person who contravenes subsection (6) commits an offence.]