Open court or chambers

If a hearing is in chambers it means that it takes place either in the judge's room or in closed court.

Only the parties and their legal representatives attend a hearing in chambers. This is usually more informal than open court. If a hearing is in open court anyone can attend including members of the public unconnected to the case. Most cases involving housing will be heard in open court (for example actions for the recovery of possession of heritable property) and only in certain limited cases, usually involving the evidence of children or an appeal against detention under mental health legislation, will a hearing be in chambers.