October 2023: The Law Commission’s consultation is part of its review of the law and practice relating to prosecutions of sexual offences and the consideration of the need to reform trial processes to: increase the understanding of consent and sexual harm; improve the treatment of victims; and ensure defendants receive a fair trial. The MLA identified a number of concerns about proposals to automatically exclude the media and the public from all sexual offence cases with the associated negative impact on open justice and the media’s ability to report on sexual offences cases. The MLA’s response can be viewed and downloaded here –
MEDIA LAWYERS ASSOCIATION 