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8
CAP. 86]
Commissions of Inquiry
[1976 Ed.
(Cap. 227.)
Commission to have powers of judge.
Inquiry to be a judicial proceeding.
Protection of Commission and witnesses.
Police and bailiffs to assist Commission.
(3) The Commission may issue warrants of arrest to compel the attendance of any person not complying with a summons issued under subsection (2).
(4) Any sentence of imprisonment imposed under this section may be remitted where the Commission is of the opinion that the contempt has been purged.
(5) Any person aggrieved by any decision, order or sentence of the Commission in exercise of the powers conferred by subsection (1) or (2) may appeal to a judge of the High Court, in the same manner as if it were an order of a magistrate in respect of which an appeal lies under section 113 of the Magistrates Ordinance, in accordance with rules made by the Chief Justice.
10. For the purposes of enforcing the payment of any fine imposed or giving effect to any warrant of arrest or sentence of imprisonment or for other like purposes, the Commission shall have the powers of a judge. In the exercise of such powers and for the purpose of issuing warrants, summoning persons and the exercise of other like powers the Chairman may do all necessary acts in the name of the Commission.
11. (1) Every inquiry held under this Ordinance shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding.
(2) Any conduct which would constitute contempt of the High Court or of a judge, if it were committed towards the High Court or a judge as the case may be, shall be a contempt of a Commission and may be dealt with and punished by a judge of the High Court as a contempt of the High Court.
12. (1) No Commissioner shall be liable to any suit or other proceeding for any act or thing done by him bona fide as such Commissioner:
Provided that nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to limit the power of the High Court to make an order of mandamus, certiorari or prohibition in relation to proceedings before a Commission.
(2) All evidence given before a Commission shall be absolutely privileged, and no witness giving such evidence shall be liable to any suit or other civil proceeding in respect thereof,
(3) A legal officer, barrister or solicitor appearing before a Commission, whether as counsel for the Commission or otherwise under or by virtue of section 6, shall be entitled to the same immunities as if he were appearing for a party in proceedings before the High Court. (Added, 49 of 1976, s. 7)
13. Police officers and bailiffs of the court shall assist any Commission conducting an inquiry under this Ordinance for such