Section 137 — Care of Children Act 2004: Attendance at hearings generally

137 Attendance at hearings generally (1) Only the following persons may attend a hearing of proceedings (other than criminal proceedings) under this Act: (a) officers of the Court: (b) parties to the proceedings and their lawyers: (c) lawyers appointed under section 7(1) or section 130(1) : (d) witnesses: (e) persons the Court agrees to hear under section 136 : (f) persons who may attend under section 138(2)(b) : (g) accredited news media reporters: (h) persons whom the Judge permits to be present as support persons for a party on a request by that party: (i) any other persons whom the Judge permits to be present. (2) The Judge must agree to a request under subsection (1)(h) unless the Judge considers there is a good reason why the named support persons should not be permitted to be present. (3) No support persons for a party for whom no lawyer is acting may help the party conduct his or her case. (4) If, during a hearing, the Judge requests a person of any of the following kinds to leave the courtroom, the person must do so: (a) a witness: (b) a person the Court agrees to hear under section 136 : (c) a person who may attend under section 138(2)(b) : (d) an accredited news media reporter: (e) a support person whom the Judge permits to be present under subsection (1)(h) . (5) However, in considering, at or before a hearing, whether to exclude from the courtroom a person who may attend under section 138(2)(b) , the Judge must take into account all relevant objections under section 138(3)(b) . (6) Nothing in this section limits any other power of the Court— (a) to hear proceedings in private; or (b) to exclude any person from the Court. Compare: 1968 No 63 s 27