Open court principle
The open court principle requires that court proceedings presumptively be open and accessible to the public and to the media. In contrast, in camera describes court proceedings where the public and press are not allowed to observe the procedure or process. Canada Purpose The virtues of openness were discussed by the Supreme Court of Canada in A.G. Nova Scotia v. MacIntyre which quoted eighteenth-century philosopher Jeremy Bentham: In the darkness of secrecy, sinister interest and evil in every shape have full swing. Only in proportion as publicity has place can any of the checks applicable to judicial injustice operate. Where there is no publicity there is no justice. Publicity is the very soul of justice. It is the keenest spur to exertion and the surest of all guards against improbity. It keeps the judge himself while trying under trial. According to the Supreme Court of Canada in Vancouver Sun (Re), the open court principle enhances the public's confidence in the justice system: Public access to the courts guarantees the integrity of judicial processes by demonstrating "that justice is administered in a non-arbitrary manner, according to the rule of law". Openness is necessary to maintain the independence and impartiality of courts.