Page:Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980.pdf/14

6c. 43

grant him bail in accordance with the Bail Act 1976 subject to a duty to appear before the Crown Court for trial.

(5) Where a magistrates’ court acting as examining justices commits any person for trial or determines to discharge him, the clerk of the court shall, on the day on which the committal proceedings are concluded or the next day, cause to be displayed in a part of the court house to which the public have access a notice—
 * (a) in either case giving that person’s name, address, and age (if known);
 * (b) in a case where the court so commits him, stating the charge or charges on which he is committed and the court to which he is committed;
 * (c) in a case where the court determines to discharge him, describing the offence charged and stating that it has so determined;

but this subsection shall have effect subject to sections 4 and 6 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1976 (anonymity of complainant and accused in rape etc. cases).

(6) A notice displayed in pursuance of subsection (5) above shall not contain the name or address of any person under the age of 17 unless the justices in question have stated that in their opinion he would be mentioned in the notice apart from the preceding provisions of this subsection and should be mentioned in it for the purpose of avoiding injustice to him.

7. A magistrates’ court committing a person for trial shall specify the place at which he is to be tried, and in selecting that place shall have regard to—
 * (a) the convenience of the defence, the prosecution and the witnesses,
 * (b) the expediting of the trial, and
 * (c) any direction given by or on behalf of the Lord Chief Justice with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor under section 4(5) of the Courts Act 1971.

8.—(1) Except as provided by subsections (2), (3) and (8) below, it shall not be lawful to publish in Great Britain a written report, or to broadcast in Great Britain a report, of any committal proceedings in England and Wales containing any matter other than that permitted by subsection (4) below.

(2) A magistrates’ court shall, on an application for the purpose made with reference to any committal proceedings by the accused or one of the accused, as the case may be, order that