11 (n) to the benefit of the least severe of the prescribed punishments if the prescribed punishment for the offence has been changed between the time the offence was committed and the time of sentencing; and (o) of appeal to, or review by, a higher court. (3) Whenever this section requires information to be given to a person, that information must be given as simply and clearly as practicable, in a language that the person understands. (4) A law is not inconsistent with subsection (1)(b) to the extent that it— (a) authorises a court to try a member of a disciplined force for a criminal offence despite his or her trial and conviction or acquittal under a disciplinary law; and (b) requires the court, in passing sentence, to take into account any punishment awarded against the member under the disciplinary law. Access to courts or tribunals 15.—(1) Every person charged with an offence has the right to a fair trial before a court of law. (2) Every party to a civil dispute has the right to have the matter determined by a court of law or if appropriate, by an independent and impartial tribunal. (3) Every person charged with an offence and every party to a civil dispute has the right to have the case determined within a reasonable time. (4) The hearings of courts (other than military courts) and tribunals established by law must be open to the public unless the interests of justice require otherwise. (5) Subsection (4) does not prevent— (a) the making of laws relating to the trials of children, or to the determination of family or domestic disputes, in a closed court; or (b) the exclusion by a court or tribunal from particular proceedings (except the announcement of the decision of the court or tribunal) of a person other than parties and their legal representatives if a law empowers it to do so in the interests of justice, public morality, the welfare of children, personal privacy, national security, public safety or public order. (6) Every person charged with an offence, every party to civil proceedings, and every witness in criminal or civil proceedings has the right to give evidence and to be questioned in a language that he or she understands. (7) Every person charged with an offence and every party to civil proceedings has the right to follow the proceedings in a language that he or she understands.