Witnesses in civil trials can usually attend court at all times during the evidence stage of the trial. A party can, however, apply for an order to exclude the other party’s witnesses from court until they are called upon to give evidence.

Such an application was recently made in the proceedings for misfeasance in public office brought against the Bank of England by the liquidators of the Luxembourg-based BCCI. The trial, which began in January, is expected to last for more than a year.