Clause 18

by inserting, immediately after the words “criminal matter” in subsection (1), the words “or proceedings for contempt of court”;

by deleting the word “and” at the end of subsection (2)(b);

by deleting the full‑stop at the end of paragraph (c) of subsection (2) and substituting a semi‑colon, and by inserting immediately thereafter the following paragraph:“(d)any other matter prescribed by rules made under subsection (9).”;

by deleting the word “or” at the end of subsection (4)(d);

by deleting the full‑stop at the end of paragraph (e) of subsection (4) and substituting the word “; or”, and by inserting immediately thereafter the following paragraph:“(f)any conditions prescribed by rules made under subsection (9) for the purposes of this subsection are met.”;

by inserting, immediately after subsection (5), the following subsection:“(5A) In making any order under this section, or any particular provision in such an order, a court is to have regard to matters prescribed by rules made under subsection (9).”;

by inserting, immediately after subsection (6), the following subsection:“(6A) Despite any provision of this Act and this section, the parties in any civil proceedings may, with the express agreement of all the parties to the proceedings pursuant to section 11(3)(b) of the Family Justice Act 2014, section 8(3)(b) of the State Courts Act or section 8A(3)(b) of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, apply for permission of the court for a witness to give evidence through a live audio link only, and the application must describe the arrangements that the parties have agreed to put in place to ensure the integrity and quality of the evidence to be given by the witness.”;

by inserting, immediately after the words “this section” in subsection (7), the words “, or through a live audio link (without an accompanying live video link or live television link) by virtue of subsection (6A),”;

by inserting, immediately after subsection (9), the following subsection:“(10) In this section, “live video or live television link” means a live video or live television link that is created using an electronic communication technology approved by the Chief Justice.”; and

by inserting, immediately after the word “links” in the section heading, the word “, etc.”.