Magistrates' Courts Act, 1944 (Act No. 32 of 1944)Part I : CourtsChapter I : Establishment and Nature of Courts5. Courts to be open to the public, with exceptions |
| (10 | Except where otherwise provided by law, the proceedings in every court in all criminal cases and the trial of all defended civil actions shall be carried on in open court, and recorded by the presiding officer or other officer appointed to record such proceedings. |
| (2) | The court may in any case, in the interests of good order or public morals, direct that a civil trial shall be held with closed doors, or that (with such exceptions as the court may direct) minors or the public generally shall not be permitted to be present thereat. |
| (3) | If any person present at any civil proceedings in any court disturbs the peace or order of the court, the court may order that person to be removed and detained in custody until the rising of the court, or, if in the opinion of the court peace cannot be otherwise secured, may order the court room to be cleared and the doors thereof to be closed to the public. |
| (4) | [Section 5(4) deleted by Lower Courts Amendment Act, 1977 (Act No. 91 of 1977)] |