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Magistrates' Courts (Press And Public)

Volume 35: debated on Monday 17 January 1983

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29.

asked the Attorney-General what advice has been given by the Lord Chancellor as to the exclusion by magistrates of the press and public from the court in certain cases before them.

This is a question of law for the Courts and not suitable for guidance by the Lord Chancellor. The law is adequately stated in Scott v Scott 1913 AC 477 which is not confined to matrimonial suits and has been repeatedly followed in subsequent cases. It is one of the duties of the clerks to the justices to advise their respective benches on the relevant law.