Civil courts to hear evidence in secret, but not inquests Evidence deemed sensitive to national security by judges will be heard behind closed doors in a controversial move that will make legal history. The Justice Secretary will make a "substantial" climbdown, however, by excluding inquests from the new powers following widespread concerns about secret justice. The final plans, to be published in the Justice and Security Bill today, are much narrower than the original proposals, which would have allowed ministers to decide the grounds of where it was "in the public interest." That led to fears that a wide range of cases could be heard in secret and sparked an intense campaign by civil liberty groups. Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, also voiced opposition to the reforms. Last night the Liberal Democrats said the changes were a victory for Mr Clegg. Mr Clarke said he had listened to critics and had made "substantial changes." The Government and security services want the power because currently they have to settle compensation claims rather than fight them and expose sensitive material. It is thought more than £15 million has been spent on payouts.