Public Access to the Courts

No child under the age of 14 may be present in court except where their presence is required as a witness for the purposes of justice or the court consents.

In criminal cases, the court will normally remain open and any member of the public can sit in the public gallery at the back of the courtroom and listen to the evidence being given, unless they are a witness and haven't yet given their own evidence.

However, the court will routinely be asked to consider closing the court to members of the public when any victim of an alleged sexual offence is giving their evidence.

It is also possible that the court may consider closing the court for other witnesses if, for example, there is a known risk of intimidation or if the witness’s evidence is likely to be particularly distressing. In children's hearing court cases, certain people connected with the case have a right to attend.

Anyone else will be admitted only with the sheriff's permission. You should always tell the police or court official about any intimidation either before or during the court case.

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