35A. Oral hearing not needed generally

Subject to subsection (2), a Youth Court may decide any matter in its jurisdiction without hearing oral arguments, other than a matter prescribed by the Criminal Procedure Rules or the Family Justice Rules.

Subsection (1) does not allow any part of a proceeding where oral evidence is given (including any part of a trial of an offence) to be conducted without an oral hearing.

Subject to subsection (4), a Youth Court may, in any matter that the court may decide without hearing oral arguments, direct that the matter be heard in an asynchronous manner by exchange of written correspondence with the party or parties, using such means of communication as directed by the court.

A Youth Court must not hear a matter in an asynchronous manner if to do so would be inconsistent with the court’s duty to ensure that the proceedings are conducted fairly to all parties.

To avoid doubt, this section does not affect the power of a Youth Court to hear oral arguments before deciding any matter that may be decided without hearing oral arguments.