Evidence Act 1977

An Act to consolidate, amend and reform the law of evidence and for related purposes

1Short title

This Act may be cited as the Evidence Act 1977.

s 1 amd 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1

2Act binds Crown

This Act binds the Crown not only in right of the State of Queensland but also, so far as the legislative power of Parliament permits, the Crown in all its other capacities.

s 2 prev s 2 amd 1989 No. 17 s 60

om 18 December 1992 RA s 36

pres s 2 (prev s 1(3)) renum 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1

2ANotes in text

A note in the text of this Act is part of the Act.

s 2A ins 2003 No. 55 s 53

3Definitions

The dictionary in schedule 3 defines particular words used in this Act.

s 3 (prev s 5(1)) renum 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1

amd 2003 No. 55 s 54 (1), (4)

Note—s 3 previously contained definitions for this Act. Definitions are now located in schedule 3 (Dictionary).

4Meaning of copy of document etc.

In this Act, any reference to a copy of a document includes—

(a)in the case of a document falling within paragraph (e) but not paragraph (f) of the definition document in schedule 3—a transcript of the sounds or other data embodied therein; and

(b)in the case of a document falling within paragraph (f) but not paragraph (e) of that definition—a reproduction or still reproduction of the image or images embodied therein, whether enlarged or not; and

(c)in the case of a document falling within both those paragraphs—such a transcript together with such a reproduction or still reproduction; and

(d)in the case of a document not falling within the said paragraph (f) of which a visual image is embodied in a document falling within that paragraph—a reproduction or still reproduction of that image, whether enlarged or not;

and any reference to a copy of the material part of a document shall be construed accordingly.

s 4 prev s 4 om 18 December 1992 RA s 38

(prev s 5(2)) renum 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1

amd 2003 No. 55 s 55

5Meaning of document purporting to be of certain character etc.

For the purposes of this Act a document, including any instrument or part of an instrument, purports—

(a)to be of a certain character; or

(b)to have been produced or authenticated at a certain time, in a certain manner, by a certain person or body, or by a person having a certain qualification or occupying a certain office; or

(c)any other matter whatever;

if the document expressly or impliedly represents that matter or a court can assume that matter from the contents of the document or otherwise.

s 5 (prev s 5(3)) amd 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1

renum 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1

6Witnesses interested or convicted of offence

No person shall be excluded from giving evidence in any proceeding on the ground—

(a)that the person has or may have an interest in the matter in question, or in the result of the proceeding; or

(b)that the person has previously been convicted of any offence.

7Parties, their wives and husbands as witnesses

(1)Each of the parties to a proceeding (not being a criminal proceeding) and a person on whose behalf such a proceeding is brought or defended is competent and compellable to give evidence on behalf of either or any of the parties to the proceeding.

(2)The husband or wife of a party to a proceeding (not being a criminal proceeding) and the husband or wife of a person on whose behalf such a proceeding is brought or defended is competent and compellable to give evidence on behalf of either or any of the parties to the proceeding.

(3)To remove any doubt, it is declared for subsections (1) and (2) that a party to a proceeding includes a person who is the subject of an inquiry, reference or examination.

s 7 amd 2013 No. 35 s 80

8Witnesses in a criminal proceeding

(1)In a criminal proceeding, each person charged is competent to give evidence on behalf of the defence (whether that person is charged solely or jointly with any other person) but is not compellable to do so.

(2)The husband or wife of an accused person in a criminal proceeding is competent and compellable to give evidence in the proceeding in any court, either for the prosecution or for the defence, and without the consent of the accused.

(3)In a criminal proceeding, a husband or wife is competent and compellable to disclose communications made between the husband and the wife during the marriage.

s 8 amd 2003 No. 55 s 56

pt 2 div 1A hdg ins 2003 No. 55 s 57

9Presumption as to competency

(1)Every person, including a child, is presumed to be—

(a)competent to give evidence in a proceeding; and

(b)competent to give evidence in a proceeding on oath.

(2)Subsection (1) is subject to this division.

s 9 amd 1989 No. 17 s 61

sub 2000 No. 43 s 44; 2003 No. 55 s 57

9ACompetency to give evidence

(1)This section applies if, in a particular case, an issue is raised, by a party to the proceeding or the court, about the competency of a person called as a witness in the proceeding to give evidence.

(2)The person is competent to give evidence in the proceeding if, in the court’s opinion, the person is able to give an intelligible account of events which he or she has observed or experienced.

(3)Subsection (2) applies even though the evidence is not given on oath.

s 9A ins 1989 No. 17 s 62

sub 2000 No. 43 s 44; 2003 No. 55 s 57

9BCompetency to give sworn evidence

(1)This section applies if, in a particular case, an issue is raised, by a party to the proceeding or the court, about the competency of a person called as a witness in the proceeding to give evidence on oath.

(2)The person is competent to give evidence in the proceeding on oath if, in the court’s opinion, the person understands that—

(a)the giving of evidence is a serious matter; and

(b)in giving evidence, he or she has an obligation to tell the truth that is over and above the ordinary duty to tell the truth.

(3)If the person is competent to give evidence in the proceeding but is not competent to give the evidence on oath, the court must explain to the person the duty of speaking the truth.

Note—

The Oaths Act 1867, section 17, makes provision for a person called as a witness to make his or her solemn affirmation instead of being sworn.

s 9B ins 2003 No. 55 s 57

9CExpert evidence about witness’s ability to give evidence

(1)This section applies to a proceeding if—

(a)under section 9A, the court is deciding whether a person is able to give an intelligible account of events which he or she has observed or experienced; or

(b)under section 9B, the court is deciding whether a person understands the matters mentioned in section 9B(2)(a) and (b); or

(c)the evidence of a child under 12 years is admitted.

(2)Expert evidence is admissible in the proceeding about the person’s or child’s level of intelligence, including the person’s or child’s powers of perception, memory and expression, or another matter relevant to the person’s or child’s competence to give evidence, competence to give evidence on oath, or ability to give reliable evidence.

s 9C ins 2003 No. 55 s 57

9DEvidence admitted under s 9A

(1)Evidence admitted under section 9A that is written down as a deposition is taken to be a deposition for all purposes.

(2)If evidence is admitted under section 9A—

(a)the probative value of the evidence is not decreased only because the evidence is not given on oath; and

(b)a person charged with an offence may be convicted on the evidence; and

(c)the person giving the evidence is liable to be convicted of perjury to the same extent as if the person had given the evidence on oath.

s 9D ins 2003 No. 55 s 57

pt 2 div 1B hdg ins 2003 No. 55 s 57

9EPrinciples for dealing with a child witness

(1)Because a child tends to be vulnerable in dealings with a person in authority, it is the Parliament’s intention that a child who is a witness in a proceeding should be given the benefit of special measures when giving the child’s evidence.

(2)The following general principles apply when dealing with a child witness in a proceeding—

(a)the child is to be treated with dignity, respect and compassion;

(b)measures should be taken to limit, to the greatest practical extent, the distress or trauma suffered by the child when giving evidence;

(c)the child should not be intimidated in cross-examination;

(d)the proceeding should be resolved as quickly as possible.

(3)In this section—

child means a child under 16 years.

s 9E ins 2003 No. 55 s 57

10Privilege against self-incrimination

(1)Nothing in this Act shall render any person compellable to answer any question tending to criminate the person.

(2)However, in a criminal proceeding where a person charged gives evidence, the person’s liability to answer any such question shall be governed by section 15.

12Admissibility of evidence as to access by husband or wife

Notwithstanding anything contained in any Act or any rule of law, neither the evidence of any person nor any statement made out of court by any person shall be inadmissible in any proceeding whatever by reason of the fact that it is tendered with the object of proving, or that it proves or tends to prove, that marital intercourse did or did not take place at any time or during any period between that person and a person who is or was the person’s wife or husband or that any child is or was, or is not or was not, their legitimate child.

13Compellability of parties and witnesses as to evidence of adultery

Notwithstanding anything in any Act or any rule of law, in any proceeding whatever—

(a)a party shall not be entitled to refuse to answer any interrogatory or to give discovery of documents;

(b)a witness, whether a party or not, shall not be entitled to refuse to answer any question, whether relevant to any issue or relating to credit merely;

on the ground solely that such answer or discovery would or might relate to, or would tend or might tend to establish, adultery by that party or that witness, or by any other person with that party or that witness, as the case may be.

14Abolition of certain privileges

(1)The following rules of law are hereby abrogated except in relation to criminal proceedings, that is to say—

(a)the rule whereby, in any proceeding, a person can not be compelled to answer any question or produce any document or thing if to do so would tend to expose the person to a forfeiture;

(b)the rule whereby, in any proceeding, a person other than a party to the proceeding can not be compelled to produce any deed or other document relating to the person’s title to any land.

(2)The rule of law whereby, in any civil proceeding, a party to the proceeding can not be compelled to produce any document relating solely to the party’s own case and in no way tending to impeach that case or support the case of any opposing party is hereby abrogated.

pt 2 div 2A hdg ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

pt 2 div 2A sdiv 1 hdg ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

14AMeaning of protected counselling communication

(1)A protected counselling communication is an oral or written communication made in confidence—

(a)by a counselled person to a counsellor; or

(b)by a counsellor to or about a counselled person to further the counselling process; or

(c)about a counselled person by a parent, carer or other support person who is present to facilitate communication between the counselled person and a counsellor or to otherwise further the counselling process.

(2)However, a communication made to or by a health practitioner about a physical examination of the counselled person conducted in the course of an investigation into an alleged sexual assault offence is not a protected counselling communication.

(3)For subsection (1) it does not matter whether the communication was made—

(a)before or after the act or omission constituting the sexual assault offence committed or allegedly committed against the counselled person occurred; or

(b)in connection with the sexual assault offence, or a condition arising from the sexual assault offence, committed or allegedly committed against the counselled person.

(4)A reference in this division to a protected counselling communication includes a reference to—

(a)a document to the extent it contains a protected counselling communication; or

(b)evidence to the extent it discloses a protected counselling communication.

(5)In this section—

health practitioner means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise a health profession.

s 14A ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

14BOther definitions for division

In this division—

counsel a person means—

(a)to listen to and give verbal or other support, help or encouragement to the person, whether one-on-one or in a group; or

(b)to advise, give therapy to or treat the person, whether one-on-one or in a group.

counselled person means a person who—

(a)is being, or has at any time been, counselled by a counsellor; and

(b)is, or has at any time been, a victim or alleged victim of a sexual assault offence.

counsellor means a person who—

(a)has undertaken training or study, or has experience, that is relevant to the process of counselling other persons; and

(b)in the course of the person’s paid or voluntary employment, other than as a religious representative, counsels another person.

essential person, for a proceeding, means any of the following persons—

(a)a Crown law officer or a person authorised by a Crown law officer;

(b)the prosecutor;

(c)a witness giving evidence;

(d)a person who is an intermediary under division 4C for a witness giving evidence;

(e)a person who a witness is entitled to have present in court under section 21A(2)(d), 21AV or 103ZE(2)(g);

(f)a person whose presence is, in the court’s opinion, necessary or desirable for the proper conduct of the proceeding;

(g)a person who applies to the court to be present and whose presence, in the court’s opinion—

(i)would serve a proper interest of the person; and

(ii)would not be prejudicial to a counselled person’s interests.

religious representative means a person who—

(a)is a member of—

(i)an organised religion; or

(ii)a religious group, even if the group is not part of, or does not consider itself to be part of, an organised religion; and

(b)holds a position in the religion or group that allows the person to hold himself or herself out as a representative of the religion or group.

sexual assault offence means—

(a)an offence of a sexual nature, including, for example—

(i)an offence against a provision of the Criminal Code, chapter 32; and

(ii)an offence against a provision of the Criminal Code, chapter 22; or

(b)an act or omission that would constitute an offence mentioned in paragraph (a) if the act or omission had occurred—

(i)in Queensland; or

(ii)after the offence provision commenced; or

(c)an alleged offence mentioned in paragraph (a).

s 14B ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

amd 2018 No. 23 s 27; 2020 No. 32 s 41; 2024 No. 5 s 102 sch 1 div 4 (amd 2024 No. 23 s 18F)

pt 2 div 2A sdiv 2 hdg ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

14CApplication of subdivision

This subdivision applies to—

(a)a committal proceeding; or

(b)a proceeding under the Bail Act 1980 relating to bail for an offence, including a proceeding relating to the remand of a person in custody.

s 14C ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

14DSexual assault counselling privilege

A person can not do any of the following things in connection with the proceeding—

(a)compel, whether by subpoena or otherwise, another person to produce a protected counselling communication to a court;

(b)produce to a court, adduce evidence of or otherwise use, a protected counselling communication;

(c)otherwise disclose, inspect or copy a protected counselling communication.

s 14D ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

pt 2 div 2A sdiv 3 hdg ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

14EApplication of subdivision

This subdivision applies to a proceeding—

(a)for the trial or sentencing of a person for an offence, other than a proceeding to which subdivision 2 applies; or

(b)relating to a domestic violence order.

s 14E ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

amd 2023 No. 1 s 97 sch 1 pt 2

14FSexual assault counselling privilege

A person can not do any of the following things in connection with the proceeding, other than with the leave of the court hearing the proceeding—

(a)compel, whether by subpoena or otherwise, another person to produce a protected counselling communication to a court;

(b)produce to a court, adduce evidence of or otherwise use, a protected counselling communication;

(c)otherwise disclose, inspect or copy a protected counselling communication.

s 14F ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

14GApplication for leave

(1)A party to the proceeding may apply for leave of the court under this subdivision.

(2)As soon as reasonably practicable after the application is made, the applicant must give the following persons a notice complying with subsection (3)—

(a)each other party to the proceeding;

(b)if the counsellor to whom the protected counselling communication relates is not a party to the proceeding—the counsellor.

(3)For subsection (2), the notice is a written notice stating—

(a)an application for leave under this subdivision has been made in relation to a protected counselling communication; and

(b)a description of the nature and particulars of the protected counselling communication (other than particulars disclosing the content of the communication); and

(c)if the counsellor or counselled person to whom the communication relates is not a party to the proceeding—that the counsellor or counselled person may appear in the proceeding under section 14L.

(4)If the counselled person to whom the protected counselling communication relates is not a party to the proceeding, the prosecutor must, as soon as practicable after a notice is given under subsection (2), give the counselled person a copy of the notice.

(5)The court can not decide the application until at least 14 days after subsection (2) is complied with.

(6)However, the court may waive the requirement to comply with subsection (2) if, in relation to the proceeding—

(a)notice has been given of a previous application for leave under this subdivision relating to the same protected counselling communication; or

(b)the counselled person to whom the protected counselling communication relates has consented to the waiver of the requirement; or

(c)the court is satisfied—

(i)exceptional circumstances exist that require the waiver of the requirement; and

(ii)it is in the public interest to waive the requirement.

(7)For subsection (6)(b), the consent must be given—

(a)in writing; or

(b)if the counselled person can not give written consent because of a disability—orally.

s 14G ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

14HDeciding whether to grant leave

(1)The court can not grant an application for leave under this subdivision unless the court is satisfied that—

(a)the protected counselling communication the subject of the application will, by itself or having regard to other documents or evidence produced or adduced by the applicant, have substantial probative value; and

(b)other documents or evidence concerning the matters to which the communication relates are not available; and

(c)the public interest in admitting the communication into evidence substantially outweighs the public interest in—

(i)preserving the confidentiality of the communication; and

(ii)protecting the counselled person from harm.

(2)In deciding the matter mentioned in subsection (1)(c), the court must have regard to the following matters—

(a)the need to encourage victims of sexual assault offences to seek counselling;

(b)that the effectiveness of counselling is likely to be dependent on maintaining the confidentiality of the counselling relationship;

(c)the public interest in ensuring victims of sexual assault offences receive effective counselling;

(d)that disclosure of the protected counselling communication is likely to damage the relationship between the counsellor and the counselled person;

(e)whether disclosure of the communication is sought on the basis of a discriminatory belief or bias;

(f)that the disclosure of the communication is likely to infringe a reasonable expectation of privacy;

(g)the extent to which the communication is necessary to enable the accused person to make a full defence;

(h)any other matter the court considers relevant.

(2A)For deciding the application, the court may do any of the following—

(a)order a person to produce the protected counselling communication to the court;

(b)consider the protected counselling communication;

(c)make any other order it considers appropriate to facilitate its consideration of the protected counselling communication.

(2B)If the protected counselling communication is produced to the court under subsection (2A), the court must not disclose it, or make it available to a party to the proceeding, before deciding the application.

(3)Also, for deciding the application, the court may consider a written or oral statement made to the court by the counselled person outlining the harm the person is likely to suffer if the application is granted.

(4)If an oral statement is made by the counselled person under subsection (3), while the statement is being made the court must exclude from the room in which the court is sitting—

(a)anyone who is not an essential person; and

(b)an essential person, if—

(i)the counselled person asks that the essential person be excluded; and

(ii)the court considers excluding the essential person would serve a proper interest of the counselled person.

(5)The court must not disclose, or make available to a party to the proceeding, a statement made to the court under subsection (3).

(6)The court must state its reasons for granting or refusing to grant the application.

(7)If the proceeding is a trial by jury, the court must hear and decide the application in the absence of the jury.

(8)In this section—

harm includes physical, emotional or psychological harm, financial loss, stress or shock, and damage to reputation.

s 14H ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

amd 2024 No. 3 s 26B

pt 2 div 2A sdiv 4 hdg ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

14IWaiver of privilege by counselled person

(1)This section applies, in relation to a proceeding to which subdivision 2 or 3 applies, if a document or evidence is a protected counselling communication.

(2)This division does not prevent the document being produced, or the evidence being adduced, if the counselled person to whom the protected counselling communication relates—

(a)is 16 years or more; and

(b)consents to the production of the document or adducing of the evidence; and

(c)is not a person with an impaired capacity for giving the consent.

(3)For subsection (2)(b), the consent must—

(a)expressly state the counselled person—

(i)consents to the production of a stated document, or the adducing of stated evidence, that is a protected counselling communication relating to the person; and

(ii)has had an opportunity to seek legal advice about giving the consent; and

(b)be given—

(i)in writing; or

(ii)if the counselled person can not give written consent because of a disability—orally.

(4)To remove any doubt, it is declared that subsection (3)(b) does not require the office of the director of public prosecutions to give the counselled person legal advice.

(5)In this section—

impaired capacity see the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000, schedule 4.

s 14I ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

14JLoss of privilege if communication made in commission of offence

This division does not apply to a document or evidence that is a protected counselling communication if the communication was made in the commission of an offence.

s 14J ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

pt 2 div 2A sdiv 5 hdg ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

14KCourt to inform of rights

(1)This section applies in relation to a proceeding to which subdivision 2 or 3 applies if it appears to the court a person may have grounds for—

(a)applying for leave under subdivision 3; or

(b)objecting to the production of a document, or the adducing of evidence, that is a protected counselling communication.

(2)The court must satisfy itself the person is aware of the relevant provisions of this division and has had an opportunity to seek legal advice.

(3)If the proceeding is a trial by jury, the court must satisfy itself of the matter under subsection (2) in the absence of the jury.

(4)To remove any doubt, it is declared that subsection (2) does not require the office of the director of public prosecutions to give the person legal advice.

s 14K ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

14LStanding of counsellor and counselled person

(1)This section applies if—

(a)a counselled person or counsellor is not a party to a proceeding to which subdivision 2 or 3 applies; and

(b)the court is deciding—

(i)whether a document or evidence relating to the counselled person or counsellor is a protected counselling communication; or

(ii)an application for leave under subdivision 3.

(2)The counselled person or counsellor may appear in the proceeding, including any appeal.

s 14L ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

amd 2023 No. 1 s 58

14MDeciding whether document or evidence is protected counselling communication

(1)This section applies if a question arises under this division in relation to a proceeding to which subdivision 2 or 3 applies.

(2)The court may consider a document or evidence to decide whether it is a protected counselling communication.

(3)While the court is considering the document or evidence, the court must exclude from the room in which it is sitting—

(a)anyone who is not an essential person; and

(b)an essential person, if—

(i)the counselled person to whom the document or evidence relates asks that the essential person be excluded; and

(ii)the court considers excluding the essential person would serve a proper interest of the counselled person.

(4)The court may make any other order it thinks fit to facilitate its consideration of the document or evidence.

(5)This section applies despite sections 14D and 14F.

s 14M ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

14NAncillary orders

(1)A court may make any order it considers appropriate to limit the extent of the harm likely to be caused to the counselled person by the production of a document, or the adducing of evidence, that is a protected counselling communication relating to the person.

Example—

an order that all or part of the evidence be heard, or the document produced, in camera

(2)In this section—

harm see section 14H.

s 14N ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

14OApplication of division despite Justices Act 1886

To the extent of an inconsistency, this division applies despite a provision of the Justices Act 1886.

s 14O ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

14PApplication of privilege in civil proceedings

(1)This section applies if, in a proceeding to which subdivision 2 or 3 applies, a protected counselling communication is privileged under this division.

Note—

A protected counselling communication is not privileged under this division if—

(a)leave is granted under subdivision 3 in relation to it; or

(b)the privilege is waived or lost under subdivision 4.

(2)A person can not produce a document containing, or adduce evidence of, the protected counselling communication in a civil proceeding arising from the act or omission to which the proceeding mentioned in subsection (1) relates.

s 14P ins 2017 No. 8 s 7

pt 2 div 2B hdg ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

pt 2 div 2B sdiv 1 hdg ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

14QApplication of division

(1)This division applies if—

(a)a person (the informant) gives information (the provided information) to a journalist, in the normal course of the journalist’s activities as a journalist, in the expectation the information may be published in a news medium; and

(b)the journalist promises the informant not to disclose the informant’s identity as the source of the information.

(2)To remove any doubt, it is declared that this division does not prevent a person from disclosing the informant’s identity as the source of the provided information.

s 14Q ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

14RWho is a journalist

(1)A person is a journalist if the person is engaged and active in—

(a)gathering and assessing information about matters of public interest; and

(b)preparing the information, or providing comment or opinion on or analysis of the information, for publication in a news medium.

(2)In determining whether a person is a journalist, a court may consider the following matters—

(a)whether the person is regularly engaged and active in the activities mentioned in subsection (1);

(b)whether the person complies with a recognised professional standard or code of practice in carrying out the activities;

(c)whether the publisher of the news medium complies with a recognised professional standard or code of practice in publishing information in the news medium;

(d)any other matter the court considers relevant.

s 14R ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

14SMeaning of relevant proceeding

(1)In this division, a proceeding is a relevant proceeding if the court hearing the proceeding is a court of record.

(2)However, a proceeding under the Crime and Corruption Act 2001 is not a relevant proceeding.

(3)To remove any doubt, it is declared that a proceeding is a relevant proceeding whether or not the court hearing the proceeding is bound by the rules of evidence for the proceeding.

s 14S ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

14TDefinitions for division

In this division—

authorised officer see section 14ZC.

disclosure requirement—

(a)means a process or order of a court of record for the disclosure of information or the delivery, inspection or production of a document or thing, including, for example—

(i)a summons or subpoena; or

(ii)a process or order for disclosure or discovery of documents by a party to a proceeding; or

(iii)a process or order for non-party disclosure or discovery; or

(iv)an interrogatory; or

(v)a notice or request to a party to a proceeding to produce a document; but

(b)does not include an obligation or requirement for disclosure by the prosecution in a criminal proceeding.

informant see section 14Q(1)(a).

journalist see section 14R(1).

news medium means a medium for the dissemination of news and observations on news to the public or a section of the public.

provided information see section 14Q(1)(a).

relevant person, for a journalist, means—

(a)a current or previous employer of the journalist; or

(b)a person who has engaged the journalist on a contract for services; or

(c)a person who—

(i)is or has been involved in the publication of a news medium; and

(ii)works or has worked with the journalist in relation to publishing information in the news medium.

relevant proceeding see section 14S(1).

s 14T ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

pt 2 div 2B sdiv 2 hdg ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

14UApplication of subdivision

This subdivision applies in relation to a relevant proceeding.

s 14U ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

14VJournalist privilege relating to identity of informants

(1)Despite any other Act, the journalist or a relevant person for the journalist can not be compelled, in relation to the relevant proceeding, to give evidence or comply with a disclosure requirement if giving the evidence or complying with the requirement would—

(a)disclose the identity of the informant as the source of the provided information; or

(b)enable the identity of the informant as the source of the provided information to be ascertained.

(2)However, this section applies in relation to a relevant person for the journalist only if the relevant person became aware of the identity of the informant as the source of the provided information—

(a)in the normal course of the relevant person’s work with the journalist; or

(b)in the course of, or as a result of, a relevant proceeding.

s 14V ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

14W Claims of journalist privilege at hearings of relevant proceedings

(1)This section applies if—

(a)the journalist or a relevant person for the journalist is called to give evidence at a hearing of the relevant proceeding; and

(b)the journalist or relevant person for the journalist claims that section 14V applies in relation to the giving of particular evidence by the journalist or relevant person at the hearing.

(2)The court hearing the relevant proceeding must decide whether the claim is established.

(3)The journalist or relevant person for the journalist has the onus of proving the claim is established on the balance of probabilities.

(4)If the relevant proceeding is a trial by jury, the court must hear and decide the claim in the absence of the jury.

(5)In hearing the claim, the court may order that all persons other than those specified by the court be excluded from the room in which the court is sitting.

(6)However, if the relevant proceeding is a criminal proceeding, the court must not exclude the accused person from the room.

s 14W ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

14X Applications for orders requiring giving of evidence despite journalist privilege

(1)If the court decides, under section 14W, the claim is established, a party to the relevant proceeding may apply to the court for an order that the journalist or relevant person for the journalist must give the evidence despite section 14V.

(2)The applicant has the onus of proving each of the grounds of the application on the balance of probabilities.

(3)If the relevant proceeding is a trial by jury, the court must hear and decide the application in the absence of the jury.

(4)In hearing the application, the court may order that all persons other than those specified by the court be excluded from the room in which the court is sitting.

(5)However, if the relevant proceeding is a criminal proceeding, the court must not exclude the accused person from the room.

s 14X ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

14YDeciding applications under s 14X

(1)If an application is made under section 14X(1), the court may make the order if satisfied that, having regard to the issues to be determined in the relevant proceeding, the public interest in disclosing the informant’s identity outweighs—

(a)any likely adverse effect of the disclosure on the informant or another person; and

(b)the public interest in—

(i)the communication of facts and opinion to the public by the news media; and

(ii)the ability of the news media to access sources of facts.

(2)In deciding whether to make the order, the court may have regard to the following matters—

(a)whether the provided information is a matter of public interest;

(b)the nature and subject matter of the relevant proceeding;

(c)the importance of the provided information and the informant’s identity to the relevant proceeding and the availability of other evidence in relation to the provided information;

(d)if the relevant proceeding is a criminal proceeding—the accused person’s right to a fair hearing;

(e)any likely adverse effect of disclosing the informant’s identity on the informant or another person and whether the effect can be mitigated;

(f)whether the informant’s identity as the source of the provided information is already in the public domain;

(g)any decision previously made by a court under this division about a claim, objection or application in relation to the provided information;

(h)the way in which the provided information has been used or kept by the journalist, including whether the journalist—

(i)verified the information; or

(ii)used the information in a way that is fair and accurate and minimised any likely adverse effect on another person;

(i)whether the journalist complied with a recognised professional standard or code of practice in obtaining, using or receiving the provided information;

(j)whether obtaining, using, giving or receiving the provided information—

(i)involved an offence or misconduct by the informant or journalist; or

(ii)poses a risk to national security or the security of the State;

(k)the extent to which making the order is likely to deter other persons from giving information to journalists;

(l)any other matter the court considers relevant.

(3)Also, the court may consider a written or oral statement made by the informant to the court about the matter mentioned in subsection (1)(a).

(4)The court must state its reasons for making or refusing to make the order.

(5)The order may be subject to the terms and conditions the court considers appropriate.

s 14Y ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

14Z Objections to disclosure requirements on grounds of journalist privilege

(1)This section applies if—

(a)the journalist or a relevant person for the journalist is subject to a disclosure requirement in relation to the relevant proceeding; and

(b)the journalist or relevant person for the journalist objects to complying with the disclosure requirement on the grounds that section 14V applies; and

(c)the court hearing the relevant proceeding is required to make a decision in relation to the objection.

(2)The court may decide the objection is established only if satisfied that—

(a)section 14V applies in relation to compliance with the disclosure requirement by the journalist or relevant person for the journalist; and

(b)having regard to the issues to be determined in the relevant proceeding, the public interest in disclosing the informant’s identity does not outweigh the matters mentioned in section 14Y(1)(a) and (b).

(3)In considering the matter mentioned in subsection (2)(b), the court may—

(a)have regard to the matters mentioned in section 14Y(2); and

(b)consider a written or oral statement made by the informant to the court about the matter mentioned in section 14Y(1)(a).

(4)In hearing the objection, the court may order that all persons other than those specified by the court be excluded from the room in which the court is sitting.

(5)However, if the relevant proceeding is a criminal proceeding, the court must not exclude the accused person from the room.

(6)If the court decides the objection is not established, the journalist or relevant person for the journalist must comply with the disclosure requirement.

s 14Z ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

14ZA Other orders court may make

(1)This section applies in relation to a relevant proceeding if—

(a)an application is made under section 14X(1) to the court hearing the proceeding; or

(b)the court hearing the proceeding is required to make a decision in relation to an objection mentioned in section 14Z(1)(b).

(2)The court may make the following orders in relation to the relevant proceeding, application or objection—

(a)an order restricting access to a document in relation to the relevant proceeding, application or objection if—

(i)the document would disclose the identity of the informant as the source of the provided information or enable the identity of the informant as the source of the provided information to be ascertained; or

(ii)the court considers it is in the public interest to restrict access to the document;

(b)any other order the court considers appropriate in the circumstances.

(3)Without limiting subsection (2)(b), the court may make an order that information or a document provided to the court in relation to the application or objection is not required to be disclosed to any other party to the relevant proceeding, and is not to be publicly accessible, if the court considers it appropriate in the circumstances, including, for example, because disclosure of the information or document would—

(a)prejudice a proceeding, or an investigation or intelligence operation of a law enforcement agency within the meaning of section 21C; or

(b)cause harm or detriment to a person.

s 14ZA ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

14ZB Court to inform of particular rights

(1)This section applies if it appears to the court hearing a relevant proceeding that a person may have grounds for—

(a)claiming that section 14V applies in relation to the giving of evidence by the person; or

(b)applying for an order under section 14X(1).

(2)The court must satisfy itself that the person is aware of the relevant provisions of this subdivision and has had an opportunity to seek legal advice.

(3)If the proceeding is a trial by jury, the court must satisfy itself of the matter under subsection (2) in the absence of the jury.

s 14ZB ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

pt 2 div 2B sdiv 3 hdg ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

14ZC Application of subdivision

This subdivision applies if a warrant is issued that authorises a person (an authorised officer) to enter and search a place or search another person and, during the search—

(a)the authorised officer wishes to deal with a document or thing in a way authorised under the warrant; and

(b)the journalist or a relevant person for the journalist tells the authorised officer that the journalist or relevant person objects to the dealing on the grounds that the document or thing contains information that would—

(i)disclose the identity of the informant as the source of the provided information; or

(ii)enable the identity of the informant as the source of the provided information to be ascertained; and

(c)the authorised officer tells the journalist or relevant person for the journalist the officer still wishes to deal with the document or thing despite the objection.

s 14ZC ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

14ZD Procedures if objections made

(1)The authorised officer may ask the journalist or relevant person for the journalist to agree to the document or thing being immediately sealed in a container, or stored in another secure way, specified by the officer and held by the officer for safekeeping.

(2)If the authorised officer makes a request under subsection (1), the officer must tell the journalist or relevant person for the journalist—

(a)about the effect of subsection (3); and

(b)that if the journalist or relevant person agrees as mentioned in subsection (1), the journalist or relevant person may make an application to the Supreme Court under section 14ZE(2) in relation to the document or thing.

(3)If the journalist or relevant person for the journalist does not agree as mentioned in subsection (1), the authorised officer may deal with the document or thing in a way authorised under the warrant.

(4)Subsections (5) and (6) apply if the journalist or relevant person for the journalist agrees as mentioned in subsection (1).

(5)If an application is made to the Supreme Court under section 14ZE(2) in relation to the sealed or stored document or thing, the authorised officer must ensure the sealed or stored document or thing is given to the registrar of the Supreme Court for safekeeping until the application is decided.

(6)If an application is not made to the Supreme Court under section 14ZE(2) in relation to the sealed or stored document or thing—

(a)the authorised officer must ensure the sealed or stored document or thing is kept in safe custody until the end of the period mentioned in section 14ZE(3); and

(b)the sealed or stored document or thing may, after the period has ended, be dealt with in a way authorised under the warrant.

s 14ZD ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

14ZE Applications to Supreme Court in relation to objections

(1)This section applies if the journalist or relevant person for the journalist agrees as mentioned in section 14ZD(1).

(2)The following persons may apply to the Supreme Court to decide whether the sealed or stored document or thing may be dealt with in a way authorised under the warrant—

(a)the journalist or relevant person for the journalist;

(b)the authorised officer;

(c)the chief executive, however described, of the entity that appointed the authorised officer or a delegate of the chief executive;

(d)another person prescribed by regulation.

(3)The application must be made within 7 days after the day the request under section 14ZD(1) is made.

(4)In hearing the application, the court may order that all persons other than those specified by the court be excluded from the room in which the court is sitting.

s 14ZE ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

14ZF Decisions on applications

(1)If an application is made under section 14ZE(2)—

(a)the court must first decide whether the grounds for the objection mentioned in section 14ZC(b) are established; and

(b)the journalist or relevant person for the journalist has the onus of proving the grounds for the objection on the balance of probabilities.

(2)Subsection (3) applies if the court decides the grounds for the objection are established.

(3)The court may decide the sealed or stored document or thing may be dealt with in a way authorised under the warrant despite the objection if satisfied the public interest in disclosing the informant’s identity outweighs the matters mentioned in section 14Y(1)(a) and (b).

(3A)A person mentioned in section 14ZE(2)(b), (c) or (d), who is a party to the application, has the onus of proving, on the balance of probabilities, that the public interest in disclosing the informant’s identity outweighs the matters mentioned in section 14Y(1)(a) and (b).

(4)In making the decision under subsection (3), the court may have regard to the following matters—

(a)the matters mentioned in section 14Y(2)(a) and (e) to (l);

(b)the nature of the investigation to which the warrant relates;

(c)the importance of the provided information and the informant’s identity to the investigation to which the warrant relates and the availability of other evidence in relation to the provided information;

(d)the purposes for which the provided information and the informant’s identity are intended to be used.

(5)Also, the court may consider a written or oral statement made by the informant to the court about the matter mentioned in section 14Y(1)(a).

(6)The court must state the reasons for its decision under subsection (3).

s 14ZF ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

14ZG Other orders court may make

(1)The court may make the following orders in relation to the application—

(a)an order restricting access to a document in relation to the application if—

(i)the document would disclose the identity of the informant as the source of the provided information or enable the identity of the informant as the source of the provided information to be ascertained; or

(ii)the court considers it is in the public interest to restrict access to the document;

(b)any other order the court considers appropriate in the circumstances.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1)(b)—

(a)the court may make an order that information or a document provided to the court in relation to the application is not required to be disclosed to any other party to the application, and is not to be publicly accessible, if the court considers it appropriate in the circumstances, including, for example, because disclosure of the information or document would—

(i)prejudice a proceeding, or an investigation or intelligence operation of a law enforcement agency within the meaning of section 21C; or

(ii)cause harm or detriment to a person; and

(b)if the court decides the sealed or stored document or thing may be dealt with in a way authorised under the warrant—the court may make an order about how the sealed or stored document or thing may be dealt with under the warrant.

s 14ZG ins 2022 No. 12 s 33

15Questioning a person charged in a criminal proceeding

(1)Where in a criminal proceeding a person charged gives evidence, the person shall not be entitled to refuse to answer a question or produce a document or thing on the ground that to do so would tend to prove the commission by the person of the offence with which the person is there charged.

(2)Where in a criminal proceeding a person charged gives evidence, the person shall not be asked, and if asked shall not be required to answer, any question tending to show that the person has committed or been convicted of or been charged with any offence other than that with which the person is there charged, or is of bad character, unless—

(a)the question is directed to showing a matter of which the proof is admissible evidence to show that the person is guilty of the offence with which the person is there charged;

(b)the question is directed to showing a matter of which the proof is admissible evidence to show that any other person charged in that criminal proceeding is not guilty of the offence with which that other person is there charged;

(c)the person has personally or by counsel asked questions of any witness with a view to establishing the person’s own good character, or has given evidence of the person’s good character, or the nature or conduct of the defence is such as to involve imputations on the character of the prosecutor or of any witness for the prosecution or of any other person charged in that criminal proceeding;

(d)the person has given evidence against any other person charged in that criminal proceeding.

(3)A question of a kind mentioned in subsection (2)(a), (b) or (c) may be asked only with the court’s permission.

(4)If the proceeding is a trial by jury, an application for the court’s permission under subsection (3) must be made in the absence of the jury.

s 15 amd 2000 No. 58 s 2 sch

15AQuestioning of witness as to certain convictions

A witness in any criminal or civil proceeding shall not be asked and if asked shall not be required to answer any question tending to show that the witness has committed or been convicted of or been charged with any offence if, where the witness has been convicted of the offence—

(a)the conviction is one in relation to which a rehabilitation period is capable of running pursuant to the Criminal Law (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act 1986; and

(b)in relation to the conviction the rehabilitation period within the meaning of that Act is not running at the time of the criminal or civil proceeding;

unless the permission of the court to ask the question has first been obtained, such permission to be applied for in a trial by jury in the absence of the jury.

s 15A ins 1986 No. 20 s 14 (1)

16Witness may be questioned as to previous conviction

Subject to this Act, a witness may be questioned as to whether the witness has been convicted of any indictable or other offence and upon being so questioned, if the witness either denies the fact or refuses to answer, it shall be lawful for the party so questioning to prove such conviction.

17How far a party may discredit the party’s own witness

(1)A party producing a witness shall not be allowed to impeach the credit of the witness by general evidence of bad character but may contradict the witness by other evidence, or (in case the witness in the opinion of the court proves adverse) may by leave of the court prove that the witness has made at other times a statement inconsistent with the present testimony of the witness.

(2)However, before such last mentioned proof can be given, the circumstances of the supposed statement sufficient to designate the particular occasion must be mentioned to the witness and the witness must be asked whether or not the witness has made such statement.

18Proof of previous inconsistent statement of witness

(1)If a witness upon cross-examination as to a former statement made by the witness relative to the subject matter of the proceeding and inconsistent with the present testimony of the witness does not distinctly admit that the witness has made such statement, proof may be given that the witness did in fact make it.

(2)However, before such proof can be given, the circumstances of the supposed statement sufficient to designate the particular occasion must be mentioned to the witness and the witness must be asked whether or not the witness has made such statement.

19Witness may be cross-examined as to written statement without being shown it

(1)A witness may be cross-examined as to a previous statement made by the witness in writing or reduced into writing relative to the subject matter of the proceeding without such writing being shown to the witness.

(1A)However, if it is intended to contradict the witness by the writing the attention of the witness must, before such contradictory proof can be given, be called to those parts of the writing which are to be used for the purpose of so contradicting the witness.

(2)A court may at any time during the hearing of a proceeding direct that the writing containing a statement referred to in subsection (1) be produced to the court and the court may make such use in the proceeding of the writing as the court thinks fit.

20Cross-examination as to credit

(1)The court may disallow a question as to credit put to a witness in cross-examination, or inform the witness the question need not be answered, if the court considers an admission of the question’s truth would not materially impair confidence in the reliability of the witness’s evidence.

(2)In this section—

question as to credit, for a witness, means a question that is not relevant to the proceeding except that an admission of the question’s truth may affect the witness’s credit by injuring the witness’s character.

s 20 sub 2000 No. 43 s 45

21Improper questions

(1)The court must disallow a question put to a witness in cross-examination or inform a witness a question need not be answered, if the court considers the question is an improper question.

(2)For subsection (1), an improper question includes a question that—

(a)is misleading or confusing; or

(b)is unduly annoying, harassing, intimidating, offensive, oppressive, humiliating or repetitive; or

(c)is put to the witness in a manner or tone that is belittling, insulting or otherwise inappropriate; or

(d)has no basis other than a stereotype (for example, a stereotype based on the witness’s age, race, culture, gender, sex, sex characteristics, sexuality or mental, intellectual or physical disability).

(3)In deciding whether a question is an improper question, the court must take into account—

(a)any relevant condition or characteristic of the witness of which the court is, or is made, aware, including age, race, culture, gender identity, sex, sex characteristics, sexuality, education, language background and skills and level of maturity and understanding; and

(b)any mental, intellectual or physical disability to which the witness is, or appears to be, subject and of which the court is, or is made, aware; and

(c)the context in which the question is put, including—

(i)the nature of the proceeding; and

(ii)in a criminal proceeding—the nature of the offence to which the proceeding relates; and

(iii)the relationship (if any) between the witness and any other party to the proceeding.

(4)Subsection (3) does not limit the matters the court may take into account in deciding whether a question is an improper question.

(5)A question is not an improper question merely because—

(a)the question challenges the truthfulness of the witness or the consistency or accuracy of any statement made by the witness; or

(b)the question requires the witness to discuss a subject that the witness could consider to be private or distasteful.

(6)A party may object to a question put to a witness on the ground that it is an improper question.

(7)However, the duty imposed on the court by this section applies whether or not an objection is raised to a particular question.

(8)A failure by the court to disallow a question under this section, or to inform the witness that it need not be answered, does not affect the admissibility in evidence of any answer given by the witness in response to the question.

s 21 sub 2000 No. 43 s 45; 2024 No. 5 s 56

pt 2 div 4 hdg ins 1989 No. 17 s 63

21AEvidence of special witnesses

(1)In this section—

criminal organisation see the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161O.

domestic violence see the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012, section 8.

participant, in a criminal organisation, see the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161P.

party includes a person who is present in court and is a member, a representative (other than a legal representative) or a nominee of an organisation that is a party to the proceeding.

relevant matter, for a person, means the person’s age, education, level of understanding, cultural background or relationship to any party to the proceeding, the nature of the subject matter of the evidence, or another matter the court considers relevant.

serious criminal offence means—

(a)an indictable offence punishable by at least 7 years imprisonment, including an offence against a repealed provision of an Act; or

(b)a prescribed offence as defined under the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 161N, other than an offence mentioned in paragraph (a), charged with a circumstance of aggravation stated in section 161Q of that Act.

sexual offence means an offence of a sexual nature, including, for example—

(a)an offence against a provision of the Criminal Code, chapter 32; and

(b)an offence against a provision of the Criminal Code, chapter 22.

special witness means—

(a)a child under 16 years; or

(b)a person who, in the court’s opinion—

(i)would, as a result of a mental, intellectual or physical impairment or a relevant matter, be likely to be disadvantaged as a witness; or

(ii)would be likely to suffer severe emotional trauma; or

(iii)would be likely to be so intimidated as to be disadvantaged as a witness;

if required to give evidence in accordance with the usual rules and practice of the court; or

(c)a person who is to give evidence about the commission of a serious criminal offence committed by a criminal organisation or a participant in a criminal organisation; or

(d)a person—

(i)against whom domestic violence has been or is alleged to have been committed by another person; and

(ii)who is to give evidence about the commission of an offence by the other person; or

(e)a person—

(i)against whom a sexual offence has been, or is alleged to have been, committed by another person; and

(ii)who is to give evidence about the commission of an offence by the other person.

(1A)This section does not apply to a child to the extent division 4A applies to the child.

(1B)A party to a proceeding or, in a criminal proceeding, the person charged may be a special witness.

(2)Where a special witness is to give or is giving evidence in any proceeding, the court may, of its own motion or upon application made by a party to the proceeding, make or give 1 or more of the following orders or directions—

(a)in the case of a criminal proceeding—that the person charged or other party to the proceeding be excluded from the room in which the court is sitting or be obscured from the view of the special witness while the special witness is giving evidence or is required to appear in court for any other purpose;

(b)that, while the special witness is giving evidence, all persons other than those specified by the court be excluded from the room in which it is sitting;

(c)that the special witness give evidence in a room—

(i)other than that in which the court is sitting; and

(ii)from which all persons other than those specified by the court are excluded;

(d)that a person approved by the court be present while the special witness is giving evidence or is required to appear in court for any other purpose in order to provide emotional support to the special witness;

(e)that a videorecording of the evidence of the special witness or any portion of it be made under such conditions as are specified in the order and that the videorecorded evidence be viewed and heard in the proceeding instead of the direct testimony of the special witness;

(f)another order or direction the court considers appropriate about the giving of evidence by the special witness, including, for example, any of the following—

(i)a direction about rest breaks for the special witness;

(ii)a direction that questions for the special witness be kept simple;

(iii)a direction that questions for the special witness be limited by time;

(iv)a direction that the number of questions for a special witness on a particular issue be limited.

(4)Subject to any order made pursuant to subsection (5), in any criminal proceeding an order shall not be made pursuant to subsection (2)(a), (b) or (c) excluding the person charged from the room in which a special witness is giving evidence unless provision is made, by means of an electronic device or otherwise, for that person to see and hear the special witness while the special witness is giving evidence.

(5AA)An order must not be made under subsection (2)(b) or (c) or (5) excluding from the room in which a special witness is giving evidence an intermediary under division 4C for the witness.

(5)Where the making of a videorecording of the evidence of a special witness is ordered pursuant to subsection (2)(e), the court may further order that all persons other than those specified by the court be excluded from the room in which the special witness is giving that evidence.

(5A)However, any person entitled in the proceeding to examine or cross-examine the special witness shall be given reasonable opportunity to view any portion of the videorecording of the evidence relevant to the conduct of that examination or cross-examination.

(6)A videorecording made under this section of evidence given by a special witness, or a lawfully edited copy of the videorecording—

(a)is as admissible as if the evidence were given orally in the proceeding in accordance with the usual rules and practice of the court; and

(b)is, unless the relevant court otherwise orders, admissible in—

(i)any rehearing or retrial of, or appeal from, the proceeding; or

(ii)in the case of evidence given for a criminal proceeding—

(A)another proceeding in the same court for the relevant charge or for another charge arising out of the same, or the same set of, circumstances; or

(B)a civil proceeding arising from the commission of the offence.

(6A)A reference in subsection (6) to a videorecording made under this section includes a reference to a copy of the videorecording on a separate data storage medium if—

(a)the videorecording is a digital recording; and

(b)the copy of the videorecording on the separate data storage medium has been made by—

(i)the principal registrar of a court; or

(ii)a person authorised by the principal registrar of a court to copy the videorecording onto the separate data storage medium.

(7)The room in which a special witness gives evidence pursuant to an order made pursuant to subsection (2)(c) or (e) shall be deemed to be part of the court in which the proceeding is being held.

(8)If evidence is given or presented, or to be given or presented, in a proceeding on indictment under an order or direction under subsection (2)(a) to (e) or section 21AAA(2), the judge presiding at the proceeding must instruct the jury that—

(a)they should not draw any inference as to the defendant’s guilt from the order or direction; and

(b)the probative value of the evidence is not increased or decreased because of the order or direction; and

(c)the evidence is not to be given any greater or lesser weight because of the order or direction.

s 21A ins 1989 No. 17 s 63

amd 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1; 2000 No. 43 s 46; 2003 No. 55 s 59; 2009 No. 53 s 153; 2015 No. 17 s 11; 2016 No. 62 s 173; 2017 No. 6 s 30; 2017 No. 8 s 8; 2018 No. 23 s 28; 2020 No. 15 s 75; 2020 No. 32 s 42

21AAA Exclusion of particular persons while particular evidence is presented

(1)This section applies if the evidence of a special witness contained in any of the following is to be presented at a proceeding—

(a)a videorecording made under section 21A, or a lawfully edited copy of the videorecording;

(b)the usable soundtrack of a videorecording, or a lawfully edited copy of a videorecording, mentioned in paragraph (a), or a lawfully edited copy of the usable soundtrack;

Note—

See part 2, division 4AA in relation to the use of soundtracks from particular recordings.

(c)a statement that, under section 93A, is admissible as evidence in the proceeding;

(d)a recorded statement, or a lawfully edited copy of the recorded statement, that is admissible as evidence in the proceeding.

(2)The court may, on its own initiative or on an application made by a party to the proceeding, order that, while the evidence is being presented at the proceeding, all persons other than those specified by the court be excluded from the room in which it is sitting.

Note—

See also section 21A(8) for the instructions that must be given to a jury if an order is made under this subsection.

(3)However, if the evidence is to be presented at a criminal proceeding, the court may not, under subsection (2), exclude the person charged.

Notes—

1See section 21A(2)(a) and (b), (4) and (5) in relation to the court’s power to exclude particular persons while a special witness is giving evidence under that section.

2See the Child Protection Act 1999, section 193 for restrictions on disclosing identifying information about a special witness who is a child.

s 21AAA ins 2017 No. 6 s 31

amd 2020 No. 15 s 76; 2022 No. 12 s 34

pt 2 div 4A hdg ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

pt 2 div 4A sdiv 1 hdg ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

21AAPurposes of div 4A

The purposes of this division are—

(a)to preserve, to the greatest extent practicable, the integrity of an affected child’s evidence; and

(b)to require, wherever practicable, that an affected child’s evidence be taken in an environment that limits, to the greatest extent practicable, the distress and trauma that might otherwise be experienced by the child when giving evidence.

s 21AA ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

21ABHow purposes are to be achieved

To achieve the purposes of this division, the division prescribes the following measures for an affected child when giving evidence for a relevant proceeding—

(a)for a criminal proceeding—

(i)the child’s evidence is to be prerecorded in the presence of a judicial officer, but in advance of the proceeding;

(ii)if the measure in subparagraph (i) can not be given effect, the child’s evidence is to be given at the proceeding, but with the use of an audio visual link or with the benefit of a screen;

(iii)for a committal proceeding, the child’s evidence-in chief is to be given only as a statement and, ordinarily, the child is not to be called as a witness for cross-examination;

(b)for a civil proceeding, the child’s evidence is to be given at the proceeding with the use of an audio visual link or with the benefit of a screen.

s 21AB ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

21ACDefinitions for div 4A

In this division—

affected child means a child who is a witness in a relevant proceeding and who is not a defendant in the proceeding.

child see section 21AD.

civil proceeding arising from the commission of a relevant offence does not include a proceeding for a domestic violence order under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012.

s 21AC def civil proceeding arising from the commission of a relevant offence amd 2012 No. 5 s 220

counsel includes solicitor.

cultural recognition order see the Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa (Torres Strait Islander Traditional Child Rearing Practice) Act 2020, schedule 1.

s 21AC def cultural recognition order ins 2020 No. 33 s 134(1)

defendant means—

(a)in a criminal proceeding—a person charged with an offence; or

(b)in a civil proceeding arising from the commission of a relevant offence—a person whose act or omission is complained of.

offence involving violence means an offence against any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code—

•a provision of chapter 28 or 28A

•a provision of chapter 29 other than section 317A, 318, 319, 319A, 321, 321A, 327, 329, 330, 333 or 334

•sections 335, 339, 340, 354, 354A and 355

•a provision of chapter 33A

•sections 363, 363A and 364.

s 21AC def offence involving violence amd 2008 No. 55 s 150 sch; 2014 No. 42 s 26B; 2018 No. 23 s 29 (1)

offence of a sexual nature means an offence against any of the following provisions of the Criminal Code—

•a provision of chapter 22

•a provision of chapter 32.

s 21AC def offence of a sexual nature amd 2018 No. 23 s 29 (2)

parentage order relationship means a relationship arising because of—

(a)a parentage order under the Surrogacy Act 2010; or

(b)an order of another Australian jurisdiction that corresponds to a parentage order made under that Act.

s 21AC def parentage order relationship ins 2010 No. 2 s 95 (1)

preliminary hearing means a hearing under section 21AK.

prescribed relationship, between a child who is a witness in a proceeding and a defendant in the proceeding, means any of the following—

(a)a relationship, regardless of whether it is a half, adoptive, step, parentage order or cultural recognition order relationship, where the defendant is—

(i)a parent of the child; or

(ii)a grandparent of the child; or

(iii)a brother or sister of the child; or

(iv)an uncle, aunt, nephew, niece or cousin of the child;

(b)a relationship arising because, at the time of the alleged offence with which the defendant is charged, the defendant lived in the same household as the child;

(c)a relationship arising because the defendant had the care of, or exercised authority over, the child in a household on a regular basis.

s 21AC def prescribed relationship amd 2010 No. 2 s 95 (2); 2020 No. 33 s 134(2)

proceeding means any civil or criminal proceeding, including a preliminary hearing.

relevant offence, in relation to a proceeding, means—

(a)an offence of a sexual nature; or

(b)an offence involving violence, if there is a prescribed relationship between a child who is a witness in the proceeding and a defendant in the proceeding.

relevant proceeding means—

(a)a criminal proceeding for a relevant offence, whether or not the proceeding also relates to other offences; or

(b)a civil proceeding arising from the commission of a relevant offence.

step relationship includes a relationship corresponding to a step relationship arising because of cohabitation in a de facto relationship or because of a foster relationship or a legal arrangement.

s 21AC ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

21ADMeaning of child

(1)For the purposes of a proceeding for this division, a child is—

(a)if the proceeding is a criminal proceeding—

(i)an individual who is under 16 years when the first of the following happens—

(A)the defendant in the proceeding is arrested;

(B)a complaint is made under the Justices Act 1886, section 42 in relation to the defendant in the proceeding;

(C)a notice to appear is served on the defendant in the proceeding under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, section 382; or

(ii)an individual who is 16 or 17 years when the first of the matters mentioned in subparagraph (i) happens and who is a special witness; or

(b)if the proceeding is a civil proceeding arising from the commission of a relevant offence—

(i)an individual who is under 16 years when the proceeding starts; or

(ii)an individual who is 16 or 17 years when the proceeding starts and who is a special witness.

(2)An individual remains a child for the purposes of giving evidence for a proceeding if the child gives evidence for the proceeding at any time before the child turns 18 years.

s 21AD ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

amd 2000 No. 5 s 810 sch 4 (amd 2006 No. 26 ss 84, 86)

pt 2 div 4A sdiv 2 hdg ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

21AEApplication of sdiv 2

This subdivision applies to the taking of an affected child’s evidence for a committal proceeding for a relevant offence, whether or not the committal proceeding also relates to other offences.

s 21AE ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

21AFEvidence-in-chief

(1)The affected child’s evidence-in-chief must be given as a statement without the child being called as a witness.

(2)For this section, the Justices Act 1886, section 110A applies with all necessary changes and as though a reference in that section to a written statement included a reference to a statement contained in a document as defined under schedule 3.

(3)Also, for the purposes of applying the Justices Act 1886, section 110A, that section is to be read with the following changes—

(a)if the child’s statement is a written statement—subsections (4), (5), (6), (6B), (8) and (9) of that section were omitted;

(b)if the child’s statement is not a written statement—

(i)subsections (4), (5), (6), (6B), (6C), (8) and (9) of that section were omitted; and

(ii)in subsection (13)—

(A)the words ‘read as evidence’ were omitted and the words ‘received as evidence’ were inserted in their place; and

(B)paragraph (a) were omitted.

(4)Further, for the purposes of applying the Justices Act 1886, section 111, that section applies with all necessary changes and is to be read as though, in subsections (1) and (2), the words ‘read as evidence’ were omitted and the words ‘received as evidence’ were inserted in their place.

(5)In addition, for the purposes of applying the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1892, section 4, that section applies with all necessary changes and is to be read as though—

(a)a reference to a deposition included a reference to a statement contained in a document; and

(b)a reference to the reading of a deposition that is not a written statement included a reference to the showing of a statement contained in a document.

(6)In this section—

statement means—

(a)a written statement; or

(b)a statement contained in a document.

s 21AF ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

amd 2010 No. 26 s 66

21AGCross-examination

(1)The affected child may be cross-examined only if, under this section, a magistrate requires a party to call the child as a witness for that purpose.

(2)The requirement may be made, on an application, by—

(a)a magistrate at a direction hearing under the Justices Act 1886, section 83A; or

(b)the magistrate presiding at the committal proceeding.

(3)A magistrate at a direction hearing must not require the child to be called as a witness for cross-examination unless the magistrate is satisfied that—

(a)the party seeking to cross-examine the child has—

(i)identified an issue to which the proposed questioning relates; and

(ii)provided a reason why the evidence of the child is relevant to the issue; and

(iii)explained why the evidence disclosed by the prosecution does not address the issue; and

(iv)identified to the magistrate the purpose and general nature of the questions to be put to the child to address the issue; and

(b)the interests of justice can not adequately be satisfied by leaving cross-examination of the child about the issue to the trial.

(4)The magistrate presiding at the committal proceeding must not require the child to be called as a witness for cross-examination unless the magistrate is satisfied that—

(a)the evidence before the court at the committal has identified an issue to which the proposed questioning relates that could not reasonably have been anticipated before the committal; and

(b)the party making the application has—

(i)provided a reason why the evidence of the child is relevant to the issue; and

(ii)explained why the evidence before the court does not address the issue; and

(iii)identified to the magistrate the purpose and general nature of the questions to be put to the child to address the issue; and

(c)the interests of justice can not adequately be satisfied by leaving cross-examination of the child about the issue to the trial.

(5)Without limiting the matters to which the magistrate may have regard for subsection (3)(b) or (4)(c), the magistrate—

(a)must consider whether—

(i)the prosecution case is adequately disclosed; and

(ii)the charge is adequately particularised; and

(b)must have regard to the vulnerability of children, the general principles stated in section 9E and the undesirability of calling a child as a witness for a committal proceeding.

(6)The magistrate must give reasons for the magistrate’s decision on the application.

(7)If, under this section, the magistrate requires a party to call the child as a witness for cross-examination—

(a)the child’s evidence must be taken under subdivision 3 or 4; and

(b)when the magistrate decides the application, the magistrate must decide whether the child’s evidence is to be taken under subdivision 3 or under subdivision 4, and how it is to be taken, and give a direction accordingly.

(8)In deciding whether the child’s evidence is to be taken under subdivision 3 or 4, and how it is to be taken, the magistrate must have regard to the following—

(a)the distress or trauma likely to be suffered by the child when giving evidence and the need to minimise the child’s distress or trauma;

(b)whether a local court has an audio visual link and, if not, the availability of another appropriate place with appropriate equipment and facilities for taking or videorecording the child’s evidence under subdivision 3 or 4;

(c)whether the parties would be substantially inconvenienced if the proceeding were to be adjourned to another place mentioned in paragraph (b) that is not within the same locality as the court;

(d)the need for committal proceedings to be conducted expeditiously.

(9)In this section—

local court means—

(a)in relation to a magistrate at a direction hearing—a court at which the committal proceeding would ordinarily be held; or

(b)in relation to the magistrate presiding at the committal proceeding—the court in which the committal proceeding is being held or another court within the court precincts.

magistrate, presiding at a committal proceeding, includes justices presiding at the proceeding.

s 21AG ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

amd 2017 No. 6 s 75 sch 1

21AHLimitation on cross-examination

(1)If the affected child is to be cross-examined, the party calling the child may first ask the child questions for identifying the child and establishing that the child made the statement mentioned in section 21AF and the truthfulness of the statement.

(2)The presiding magistrate or justices must not allow the child to be cross-examined about an issue other than the issue in relation to which the child was required to be called unless the magistrate or justices are satisfied as mentioned in section 21AG(3)(a) and (b) or section 21AG(4)(a) to (c), whichever is relevant, in relation to the issue.

(3)Also, the presiding magistrate or justices—

(a)must not allow cross-examination to continue to the extent it—

(i)does not appear relevant to an issue for which it may be conducted; or

(ii)consists of exploratory questions asked in the hope of receiving any answer of any assistance to the party conducting the cross-examination, commonly known as a ‘fishing expedition’; and

(b)must disallow a question that may be disallowed under section 20 or 21.

(4)The child may be re-examined by the party calling the child.

s 21AH ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

pt 2 div 4A sdiv 3 hdg ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

21AIApplication of sdiv 3

(1)This subdivision applies to taking an affected child’s evidence—

(a)for a summary trial for a relevant offence; and

(b)for a trial on indictment for a relevant offence; and

(c)for a committal proceeding for a relevant offence, if a magistrate or justices give a direction as mentioned in section 21AG(7)(b) that the child’s evidence is to be taken under this subdivision.

(2)However, this subdivision does not apply to an affected child who is a witness for the defence.

(3)Subsection (1) applies to a proceeding whether or not the proceeding also relates to offences other than the relevant offence.

s 21AI ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

21AJPresentation of indictment

If the affected child’s evidence is to be taken for a trial on indictment, the indictment must be presented before the evidence can be taken under this subdivision.

s 21AJ ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

21AKVideorecording of affected child’s evidence

(1)The affected child’s evidence must be taken and videorecorded at a hearing under this section (a preliminary hearing) presided over by a judicial officer.

Note—

See section 21AO for when a court may order that an affected child’s evidence not be taken and videorecorded under this subdivision.

(2)The videorecording must be presented—

(a)if taken for a committal proceeding—to the court at the committal proceeding; or

(b)if taken for a trial—to the court at the trial.

(3)To facilitate the operation of this section for the taking of the child’s evidence in a proceeding, the judicial officer may order that the preliminary hearing be conducted by audio visual link.

(4)The provisions of part 3A relating to the use of an audio visual link in criminal proceedings apply for, and are not limited by, subsection (3).

(5)To facilitate the operation of this section for a trial, the judicial officer must, if it is not practicable at the place of the trial to take and videorecord the child’s evidence—

(a)adjourn the trial to an appropriately equipped place to allow the evidence to be taken and videorecorded; or

(b)make another order the judicial officer considers appropriate including, for example, an order that the preliminary hearing be conducted by audio visual link.

(6)If the taking and videorecording of the child’s evidence is done at a place that is not a courtroom, the place is taken to be a courtroom for all purposes for the preliminary hearing.

(7)It does not matter whether or not the judicial officer presiding and the counsel appearing at the preliminary hearing are the same judicial officer presiding and counsel appearing at an adjourned preliminary hearing or at the proceeding in which the videorecording is presented to the court.

(8)Also, it does not matter if, while the preliminary hearing is conducted, the judicial officer, counsel, parties and witnesses are at different places.

Example—

To facilitate the taking and videorecording of the affected child’s evidence, the judicial officer directs that the child give the evidence by audio visual link. The preliminary hearing is conducted while the judicial officer, counsel and defendant are in a courtroom in a particular city and the child is in a room in another city connected to the courtroom through the audio visual link.

(9)In this section—

appropriately equipped place, for the taking and videorecording of an affected child’s evidence, means a court, or another place that is not a court, that—

(a)is equipped to take and videorecord the child’s evidence; and

(b)allows the defendant to see and hear the child while the child is giving evidence, for example, through an audio visual link.

evidence means evidence-in-chief or evidence given in cross-examination or re-examination.

s 21AK ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

amd 2017 No. 6 s 75 sch 1

21ALCourt to give directions for taking an affected child’s evidence

(1)The judicial officer presiding at the preliminary hearing may make any order the judicial officer considers appropriate in relation to taking and videorecording the affected child’s evidence.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the judicial officer may give directions, with or without conditions, as to the conduct of the preliminary hearing, including directions as to—

(a)whether the child is to be in the courtroom or a separate room when the child’s evidence is being taken; and

(b)the persons who may be present in the same room as the child when the child’s evidence is being taken.

(3)Subsection (2)(b) is subject to section 21AU.

Note—

Section 21AU makes provision about the exclusion of persons while an affected child witness is giving evidence in relation to a relevant offence.

(4)At the preliminary hearing—

(a)the defendant—

(i)must not be in the same room as the child when the child’s evidence is being taken; but

(ii)must be capable of seeing and hearing the child while the child is giving evidence; and

(b)subject to the judicial officer’s control, the child is to give his or her evidence-in-chief and be cross-examined and re-examined; and

(c)except as provided by this subdivision, the usual rules of evidence apply.

(5)The judicial officer may adjourn the hearing from time to time until the taking and videorecording of the child’s evidence is complete.

s 21AL ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

amd 2017 No. 6 s 75 sch 1

21AMUse of prerecorded evidence

(1)The affected child’s evidence contained in a videorecording made under this subdivision for a proceeding, or in a lawfully edited copy of the videorecording—

(a)is as admissible as if the evidence were given orally in the proceeding in accordance with the usual rules and practice of the court; and

(b)is, unless the relevant court otherwise orders, admissible in—

(i)any rehearing or retrial of, or appeal from, the proceeding; or

(ii)another proceeding in the same court for the relevant charge or for another charge arising out of the same, or the same set of, circumstances; or

(iii)a civil proceeding arising from the commission of the relevant offence.

(2)The admissibility of the evidence for a proceeding is not affected only because the child turns 18 before the evidence is presented at the proceeding.

(3)A reference in subsection (1) to a videorecording made under this subdivision for a proceeding includes a reference to a copy of the videorecording on a separate data storage medium if—

(a)the videorecording is a digital recording; and

(b)the copy of the videorecording on the separate data storage medium has been made by—

(i)the principal registrar of a court; or

(ii)a person authorised by the principal registrar of a court to copy the videorecording onto the separate data storage medium.

s 21AM ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

amd 2010 No. 42 s 48; 2017 No. 6 s 32

21ANGiving of further evidence

(1)This section applies if the affected child has given evidence under this subdivision for a proceeding and has been excused from further attendance as a witness at the proceeding.

(2)A party may apply to the court for an order that the child—

(a)give further evidence under this subdivision at another preliminary hearing; or

(b)attend at the proceeding to give further evidence.

(3)The court must not make the order unless satisfied that—

(a)if the child were giving evidence before a court in the ordinary way, the child could be recalled to give further evidence; and

(b)it would be in the interests of justice to make the order.

(4)The court must not make an order that the child attend at the proceeding to give further evidence unless satisfied it is not possible or not practical for the child to give the further evidence at another preliminary hearing.

s 21AN ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

21AOCourt order that evidence not to be taken and recorded under this sdiv

(1)This section applies if an affected child is to give evidence in a criminal proceeding, other than a committal proceeding, for a relevant offence.

(2)A party may apply to the court for an order that the child’s evidence not be taken and videorecorded under this subdivision.

(3)The court may make the order for good reason, having regard to the child’s wishes and the purposes of this division.

Example—

If a courtroom or other place with facilities to take and videorecord the affected child’s evidence is not likely to be available within a reasonable time, the court may decide the child’s interests are better served by dealing with the proceeding quickly rather than waiting for a courtroom or other place with the necessary facilities to become available.

s 21AO ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

amd 2017 No. 6 s 75 sch 1

pt 2 div 4A sdiv 4 hdg ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

21APApplication of sdiv 4

(1)This subdivision applies to taking an affected child’s evidence—

(a)for a summary trial for a relevant offence, if the evidence is not taken under subdivision 3; or

(b)for a trial on indictment for a relevant offence, if the evidence is not taken under subdivision 3; or

(c)for a committal proceeding for a relevant offence, if a magistrate or justices give a direction as mentioned in section 21AG(7)(b) that the child’s evidence is to be taken under this subdivision; or

(d)for summary trial, trial on indictment or committal proceeding for a relevant offence, if the child is ordered under section 21AN to attend at the proceeding to give further evidence; or

(e)for a civil proceeding arising from the commission of a relevant offence.

(2)Subsection (1) applies to a proceeding whether or not the proceeding also relates to offences other than the relevant offence.

s 21AP ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

21AQAudio visual links or screening arrangements must be used

(1)This section—

(a)applies subject to any order under section 21AR; and

(b)has effect despite the Criminal Code, section 617.

(2)If there is an audio visual link within the court precincts, the judicial officer presiding at the proceeding for the giving of evidence by the affected child must direct that—

(a)the child give evidence outside the courtroom and the evidence be transmitted to the courtroom by means of the audio visual link; or

(b)while the child is giving evidence, the defendant be held in a room apart from the courtroom and the evidence be transmitted to that room by means of the audio visual link.

(3)It is not necessary that the place outside the courtroom at which the child gives evidence under subsection (2)(a) be within the court precincts.

(4)If a direction is given under subsection (2)(a) or (b) and the audio visual link enables videorecording, the child’s evidence must be videorecorded.

(5)If a direction can not be given under subsection (2)(a) or (b), a screen, one-way glass or other thing must be so placed in relation to the child while he or she is giving evidence that the child can not see the defendant.

(6)A videorecording of the child’s evidence made under this section, or a lawfully edited copy of the videorecording, is, unless the relevant court otherwise orders, admissible in—

(a)any rehearing or retrial of, or appeal from, the proceeding; or

(b)another proceeding in the same court for the relevant charge or for another charge arising out of the same, or the same set of, circumstances; or

(c)a civil proceeding arising from the commission of the relevant offence.

(7)A reference in subsection (6) to a videorecording made under this section includes a reference to a copy of the videorecording on a separate data storage medium if—

(a)the videorecording is a digital recording; and

(b)the copy of the videorecording on the separate data storage medium has been made by—

(i)the principal registrar of a court; or

(ii)a person authorised by the principal registrar of a court to copy the videorecording onto the separate data storage medium.

s 21AQ ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

amd 2017 No. 6 s 33

21ARCourt may order that s 21AQ does not apply

(1)This section applies if—

(a)a relevant proceeding has been started in a court; and

(b)an affected child is to give evidence in the proceeding.

(2)The party who is to call the child as a witness may apply to the presiding judicial officer for an order that section 21AQ is not to apply to the child.

(3)The judicial officer may grant the application only if the judicial officer is satisfied the child is able and wishes to give evidence in the defendant’s presence without using an audio visual link or a screen.

s 21AR ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

pt 2 div 4A sdiv 5 hdg ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

21ASProsecutor or applicant to advise that an affected child is to give evidence

(1)The prosecutor or applicant in a relevant proceeding must inform the court, before the proceeding starts, that an affected child may give evidence in the proceeding.

(2)For a trial on indictment, the prosecutor must inform the court at the time the indictment is presented.

(3)A failure to comply with subsection (1) or (2) does not prevent an affected child’s evidence being taken or videorecorded under this division or affect the admissibility of the evidence.

s 21AS ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

amd 2017 No. 6 s 75 sch 1

21ATIdentification of persons or things by affected child

(1)This section applies if an affected child is required to identify a person, including the defendant, or thing when the child is giving evidence.

(2)The court may make the orders it considers appropriate to ensure that the identification is carried out in a way that limits the distress or trauma that might be suffered by the child when making the identification.

Note—

See section 9E for the general principles to be applied when dealing with a child witness.

(3)The court must also decide at what point during the giving of the child’s evidence the identification is to be made.

(4)If an affected child is required to be in the defendant’s presence for the purposes of identification, the child should not be required to be in the defendant’s presence for the identification for any longer than is necessary.

s 21AT ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

21AUExclusion of public

(1)This section applies if—

(a)an affected child is to give evidence under subdivision 3 or 4 in a relevant proceeding; or

(b)the evidence of an affected child contained in any of the following is to be presented at a relevant proceeding—

(i)a videorecording made under subdivision 3 or 4, or a lawfully edited copy of the videorecording;

(ii)the usable soundtrack of a videorecording, or a lawfully edited copy of a videorecording, mentioned in subparagraph (i), or a lawfully edited copy of the usable soundtrack;

Note—

See part 2, division 4AA in relation to the use of soundtracks from particular recordings.

(iii)a statement that, under section 93A, is admissible as evidence in the proceeding.

(2)The court must make an order excluding from the room in which it is sitting all persons, other than essential persons, while—

(a)the child is giving the evidence mentioned in subsection (1)(a); or

(b)the evidence mentioned in subsection (1)(b) is being presented.

(3)However, subsection (2) does not apply if—

(a)the evidence to be given by the child, or presented at the proceeding, is other than in relation to an offence of a sexual nature; and

(b)the court is satisfied that the interests of justice require the evidence to be heard in open court.

Note—

See the Child Protection Act 1999, section 193 for restrictions on disclosing identifying information about the affected child.

(4)In this section—

essential person, for a proceeding, means any of the following persons—

(a)a party to the proceeding and the party’s counsel;

(b)a Crown law officer or a person authorised by a Crown law officer;

(c)the prosecutor;

(d)an intermediary under division 4C for the child;

(e)a person whose presence is, in the court’s opinion, necessary or desirable for the proper conduct of the proceeding;

(f)a support person for the child under section 21AV;

(g)a person who applies to the court to be present and whose presence, in the court’s opinion—

(i)would serve a proper interest of the person; and

(ii)would not be prejudicial to the child’s interests.

s 21AU ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

amd 2017 No. 6 s 34; 2020 No. 15 s 77; 2020 No. 32 s 43

21AVAffected child entitled to support

(1)An affected child, while he or she is giving evidence in a relevant proceeding, is entitled to have near to him or her a person who may provide the child with support (a support person).

(2)A person may be the child’s support person only if the person is approved by the court on application by the party proposing to call the child.

(3)The support person must be permitted to be in close proximity to the child, and within the child’s sight, while the child is giving evidence.

(4)An affected child may, with the agreement of the court, waive the entitlement to a support person under subsection (1).

(5)The court must not agree to the waiver if the court considers the waiver is not in the child’s best interests.

s 21AV ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

21AWInstructions to be given to jury

(1)This section applies to a proceeding on indictment if any of the following measures is taken—

(a)an affected child’s evidence is taken in a way provided for under subdivision 3 or 4;

(b)a person is excluded under section 21AU while an affected child gives evidence or the evidence of an affected child is presented;

(c)an affected child has a support person under section 21AV while the child gives evidence.

(2)The judicial officer presiding at the proceeding must instruct the jury that—

(a)the measure is a routine practice of the court and that they should not draw any inference as to the defendant’s guilt from it; and

(b)the probative value of the evidence is not increased or decreased because of the measure; and

(c)the evidence is not to be given any greater or lesser weight because of the measure.

s 21AW ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

amd 2017 No. 6 s 35; 2020 No. 15 s 78

21AXOrders, directions and rulings concerning affected child witnesses

(1)The court may make any orders or give any directions or rulings it considers appropriate for this division on the court’s own initiative or on an application made to the court by a party to the proceeding.

(2)Subsection (1) does not limit the Criminal Code, section 590AA or the Justices Act 1886, section 83A.

s 21AX ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

pt 2 div 4AA hdg ins 2017 No. 6 s 36

21AXA Definition for division

In this division—

relevant witness see section 21AXC(1)(a).

s 21AXA ins 2017 No. 6 s 36

21AXB Meaning of usable soundtrack

A videorecording has a usable soundtrack if sound can be produced from the accompanying soundtrack of the videorecording, even if moving images can not be produced from the videorecording.

s 21AXB ins 2017 No. 6 s 36

21AXC Court may make order for presentation of usable soundtrack

(1)This section applies if—

(a)a videorecording has been made—

(i)under section 21A of the evidence of a special witness (a relevant witness); or

(ii)under division 4A, subdivision 3 or 4 of the evidence of an affected child (also a relevant witness); and

(b)the evidence of the relevant witness contained in the videorecording is admissible in a proceeding as mentioned in section 21A(6), 21AM or 21AQ(6); and

(c)moving images can not be produced from the videorecording or a lawfully edited copy of the videorecording; and

(d)the videorecording, or a lawfully edited copy of the videorecording, has a usable soundtrack.

(2)The court may order that the usable soundtrack of the videorecording of the evidence of the relevant witness, or of the lawfully edited copy of the videorecording, may be presented at the proceeding.

(3)The court may make an order under subsection (2)—

(a)on the court’s own initiative or on the application of a party to the proceeding; and

(b)only if the court is satisfied it would be in the interests of justice to make the order.

s 21AXC ins 2017 No. 6 s 36

21AXD Use of usable soundtrack

(1)This section applies if the court makes an order under section 21AXC(2) that the usable soundtrack of either of the following may be presented at a proceeding—

(a)a videorecording of the evidence of a relevant witness made under section 21A or division 4A, subdivision 3 or 4;

(b)a lawfully edited copy of a videorecording mentioned in paragraph (a).

(2)If the relevant witness is a special witness, section 21A(6) applies as if the reference in the subsection to a videorecording made under that section were a reference to the usable soundtrack of the videorecording or of the lawfully edited copy of the videorecording.

(3)If the relevant witness is an affected child whose evidence has been taken under division 4A, subdivision 3, section 21AM applies as if the reference in section 21AM(1) to a videorecording made under division 4A, subdivision 3 were a reference to the usable soundtrack of the videorecording or of the lawfully edited copy of the videorecording.

(4)If the relevant witness is an affected child whose evidence has been taken under division 4A, subdivision 4, section 21AQ(6) applies as if the reference in the subsection to a videorecording of the child’s evidence made under that section were a reference to the usable soundtrack of the videorecording or of the lawfully edited copy of the videorecording.

s 21AXD ins 2017 No. 6 s 36

pt 2 div 4B hdg ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

sub 2017 No. 6 s 37

pt 2 div 4B sdiv 1 hdg ins 2017 No. 6 s 37

21AYDefinitions for div 4B

In this division—

authorised destruction day see section 21AZF(1).

s 21AY def authorised destruction day ins 2017 No. 6 s 38 (2)

minimum retention period see section 21AZE(4)(a).

s 21AY def minimum retention period ins 2017 No. 6 s 38 (2)

presiding judicial officer, in relation to a recording, means the judicial officer presiding at—

(a)the proceeding in which the recording is made; or

(b)the proceeding in which the recording is presented or to be presented; or

(c)a hearing for giving a direction or ruling under the Criminal Code, section 590AA; or

(d)a direction hearing under the Justices Act 1886, section 83A.

recording means—

(a)a videorecording of a special witness’s evidence made under section 21A; or

(b)a videorecording of an affected child’s evidence made under division 4A, subdivision 3 or 4; or

(c)a copy of a videorecording mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b); or

(d)the usable soundtrack of a videorecording mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c).

s 21AY def recording sub 2017 No. 6 s 38

s 21AY ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

pt 2 div 4B sdiv 2 hdg ins 2017 No. 6 s 39

21AZApproval to edit or otherwise change a recording

(1)An original recording must not be edited or otherwise changed in any way.

(2)The presiding judicial officer may, on application, give approval for a copy of an original recording to be edited or changed in a stated way.

Example—

The presiding judicial officer may give approval for a copy of an original recording to be edited to omit certain inadmissible material.

s 21AZ ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

21AZA Court to give directions about the use or safekeeping of a recording

(1)The presiding judicial officer may make any order the judicial officer considers appropriate about the use or safekeeping of a recording.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), the presiding judicial officer may give directions, with or without conditions, as to—

(a)the persons, or classes of persons, who are authorised to have possession of a recording; and

(b)the giving up of possession of a recording.

(3)The presiding judicial officer must have regard to the following matters when deciding the persons, or classes of persons, who are authorised to have possession of a recording—

(a)the need for counsel involved in the proceeding to have access to the recording;

(b)the need to ensure that persons authorised to have possession of the recording are able to take appropriate measures to ensure there is no unauthorised access to the recording.

(4)In this section—

use, of a recording, includes copying of the recording.

s 21AZA ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

21AZB Unauthorised possession of, or dealing with, recording

(1)A person commits an offence who, without authority—

(a)has a recording in his or her possession; or

(b)supplies, or offers to supply, a recording to any person; or

(c)plays, copies or erases a recording or permits a person to play, copy or erase a recording.

Maximum penalty—

(a)for an individual—100 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment; or

(b)for a corporation—1,000 penalty units.

(2)A person has authority for subsection (1) only if the person has the possession or does the thing mentioned in subsection (1)—

(a)in the case of a public official—for a purpose connected with the proceeding for which the recording was made or any rehearing or retrial of, or appeal from, the proceeding, or civil proceeding in which the recording may be presented in evidence; or

(b)in the case of the principal registrar of a court—as authorised under a practice direction made under section 21AZE or section 21AZG; or

(ba)in the case of the victims’ commissioner under the Victims’ Commissioner and Sexual Violence Review Board Act 2024—for a purpose connected with identifying and reviewing systemic issues under section 9(a) of that Act; or

(c)in any case—as authorised by a judicial officer under section 21AZA.

(3)In this section—

erase includes destroy.

s 21AZB ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

amd 2017 No. 6 s 40; 2024 No. 21 s 107(1)

21AZC Publishing a recording prohibited

(1)A person must not publish all or part of a recording other than with the approval of the relevant court and in accordance with any condition attached to the court’s approval.

Maximum penalty—

(a)for an individual—100 penalty units or 2 years imprisonment; or

(b)for a corporation—1,000 penalty units.

(2)An approval under subsection (1) may be given only in exceptional circumstances.

(3)In subsection (1)—

publish means disseminate to the public by radio or television or otherwise by the transmission of light or sound.

relevant court means the court presiding at the proceeding or preliminary hearing at which the recording is made or the court of trial or appeal at which the recording is presented.

s 21AZC ins 2003 No. 55 s 60

pt 2 div 4B sdiv 3 hdg ins 2017 No. 6 s 41

21AZD Relationship with other Acts

This subdivision applies despite the provisions of any other Act to the contrary.

s 21AZD ins 2017 No. 6 s 41

21AZE Making of practice directions authorising destruction

(1)The Chief Justice may make a practice direction authorising the principal registrar of the Supreme Court to destroy a recording held by or for the Supreme Court.

(2)The Chief Judge may make a practice direction authorising the principal registrar of the District Court to destroy a recording held by or for the District Court.

(3)The Chief Magistrate may make a practice direction authorising the principal registrar of Magistrates Courts to destroy a recording held by or for a Magistrates Court.

(4)A practice direction made under subsection (1), (2) or (3)—

(a)must state the period (the minimum retention period) during which a recording or class of recordings may not be destroyed under the practice direction; and

(b)may authorise the principal registrar of the court to destroy a recording only after—

(i)the minimum retention period stated for the recording has ended; and

(ii)if an order under section 21AZF has been made in relation to the recording—the authorised destruction day stated in the order has passed.

s 21AZE ins 2017 No. 6 s 41

21AZF Court may make order about destruction

(1)The presiding judicial officer may make an order that a recording must not be destroyed before a stated day (the authorised destruction day).

(2)The authorised destruction day must be after the end of the minimum retention period for the recording.

s 21AZF ins 2017 No. 6 s 41

21AZG Destruction of particular digital recordings

(1)The principal registrar of a court may destroy a recording held by the court if the recording—

(a)is a digital recording; and

(b)has been copied onto a separate data storage medium.

(2)Subsection (1) applies—

(a)even if a practice direction made under section 21AZE does not authorise the destruction of the recording; and

(b)despite any order made under section 21AZF in relation to the recording.

s 21AZG ins 2017 No. 6 s 41

21AZH Delegation by principal registrar

(1)The principal registrar of a court may delegate to an appropriately qualified public service employee the principal registrar’s function under—

(a)a practice direction made under section 21AZE; or

(b)section 21AZG.

(2)In this section—

function includes power.

s 21AZH ins 2017 No. 6 s 41

pt 2 div 4C hdg ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

pt 2 div 4C sdiv 1 hdg ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

21AZI Definitions for division

In this division—

directions hearing see section 21AZP(1).

intermediaries panel see section 21AZV(4).

intermediary means a person appointed as an intermediary under an order made under section 21AZL.

relevant proceeding see section 21AZJ.

s 21AZI ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

21AZJ Meaning of relevant proceeding

(1)A relevant proceeding is a criminal proceeding—

(a)for a child sexual offence; and

(b)held before a court at a place prescribed by regulation.

(2)For subsection (1)(a), it does not matter whether the criminal proceeding also relates to other offences.

(3)In this section—

child sexual offence means an offence of a sexual nature committed in relation to a child, including, for example, an offence against a provision of the Criminal Code, chapter 22 or 32.

s 21AZJ ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

21AZK References to particular matters

(1)A reference in this division to a witness in a relevant proceeding includes a reference to a person who is to be called to give evidence in the proceeding.

(2)A reference in this division to the giving of evidence by a witness in a relevant proceeding includes a reference to—

(a)if the witness is a special witness—the giving of evidence by the witness in a way provided for under section 21A; and

(b)if the witness is an affected child under section 21AC—the taking of the witness’s evidence in a way provided for under division 4A.

(3)In a provision of this division about a relevant proceeding—

(a)a reference to the prosecutor is a reference to the prosecutor for the proceeding; and

(b)a reference to the defendant is a reference to—

(i)if there is 1 defendant in the proceeding—the defendant in the proceeding; or

(ii)if there is more than 1 defendant in the proceeding—a defendant in the proceeding.

s 21AZK ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

pt 2 div 4C sdiv 2 hdg ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

21AZL Appointment

(1)This section applies in relation to a witness for the prosecution in a relevant proceeding who—

(a)is under 16 years; or

(b)is a person with an impairment of the mind as defined under the Criminal Code; or

(c)has difficulty communicating; or

(d)is of a class prescribed by regulation.

(2)The court may, on its own initiative or on the application of a party to the relevant proceeding, make an order appointing a person as an intermediary for the witness.

(3)The order may be made at any stage of the relevant proceeding.

(4)A person may be appointed as an intermediary for the witness only if—

(a)the person is included on the intermediaries panel; and

(b)the person is not an excluded person.

(5)For subsection (4)(b), a person is an excluded person if the person—

(a)is a relative, friend or acquaintance of the witness or of the defendant; or

(b)is a party to the relevant proceeding; or

(c)is a potential witness in the relevant proceeding; or

(d)has, in a professional capacity—

(i)assisted the witness, other than in the capacity of an intermediary; or

(ii)assisted the defendant.

(6)The court must not make an order appointing a person as an intermediary for the witness if the court is satisfied—

(a)the witness—

(i)is aware an application may be made for an order appointing a person as an intermediary for the witness; but

(ii)wishes to give evidence in the relevant proceeding without the help of an intermediary; and

(b)it would not be in the interests of justice to make the order.

(7)An order made under this section for a witness mentioned in subsection (1)(a) has effect even if the witness is 16 years or older when the witness gives evidence in the relevant proceeding.

(8)Also, an order made under this section must not be subject to interlocutory appeal but may be raised as a ground of appeal against conviction or sentence.

s 21AZL ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

21AZM Functions

(1)An intermediary for a witness in a relevant proceeding has the following functions in relation to the witness’s evidence in the proceeding—

(a)to communicate or explain to the witness questions put to the witness, to the extent necessary to enable the witness to understand the questions;

(b)to communicate or explain to a person asking questions of the witness the answers given by the witness in reply, to the extent necessary to enable the person to understand the answers.

(2)An intermediary for a witness in a relevant proceeding also has the functions conferred on the intermediary under subdivision 3 in relation to directions hearings.

(3)In performing a function under this division, an intermediary—

(a)is an officer of the court; and

(b)must act impartially.

s 21AZM ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

21AZN Oath before performing particular functions

An intermediary for a witness in a relevant proceeding must not perform a function under section 21AZM(1) in relation to the witness’s evidence in the proceeding without first taking an oath under the Oaths Act 1867, section 30A.

s 21AZN ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

pt 2 div 4C sdiv 3 hdg ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

21AZO Application of subdivision

This subdivision applies if an intermediary is appointed for a witness in a relevant proceeding.

s 21AZO ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

21AZP Directions for holding directions hearings

(1)The court must, on making the order under which the intermediary is appointed, give a direction that a hearing under this subdivision (a directions hearing) be held in relation to the giving of evidence by the witness in the relevant proceeding.

(2)Subsection (1) does not prevent the court, with the consent of the parties to the relevant proceeding, holding the directions hearing immediately after making the order mentioned in subsection (1).

(3)Also, at any stage of the relevant proceeding, the court may, on its own initiative or on the application of a party to the proceeding, give a direction that a further directions hearing be held in relation to the giving of evidence by the witness in the proceeding.

(4)In giving a direction under subsection (1) or (3) for the holding of a directions hearing, the court may, if it considers it appropriate, direct that—

(a)the intermediary prepare a written report for the court that states—

(i)the communication needs of the witness; and

(ii)the intermediary’s recommendations about the most effective way to communicate with the witness; or

(b)a stated person attend the hearing.

(5)The intermediary must comply with a direction given under subsection (4)(a).

s 21AZP ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

21AZQ Attendance at directions hearing

(1)The following persons must attend a directions hearing held in the relevant proceeding—

(a)the prosecutor or a person representing the prosecutor;

(b)the legal practitioner representing the defendant or, if the defendant is unrepresented, the defendant;

(c)the intermediary;

(d)a person directed to attend the directions hearing under section 21AZP(4)(b).

(2)The witness may, but is not required to, attend the directions hearing.

(3)Subsections (1) and (2) apply subject to any direction of the court.

s 21AZQ ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

21AZR Functions of intermediary at directions hearing

(1)The intermediary must, at a directions hearing held in the relevant proceeding—

(a)inform the court of the communication needs of the witness; and

(b)recommend to the court the most effective way to communicate with the witness.

(2)The information and recommendations may be given or made in any way the court considers appropriate, including, for example—

(a)in a report prepared in compliance with a direction given under section 21AZP(4)(a); or

(b)in a report prepared by the intermediary before the intermediary was appointed for the witness.

s 21AZR ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

21AZS Court may give directions

(1)The court may, at a directions hearing held in the relevant proceeding, give the directions about the giving of evidence by the witness that the court considers appropriate for the fair and efficient conduct of the proceeding.

(2)Without limiting subsection (1), a direction may be given about 1 or more of the following matters—

(a)the manner of questioning the witness;

(b)the duration of questioning the witness;

(c)the questions that may, or may not, be put to the witness;

(d)if there is more than 1 defendant—the allocation among the defendants of the topics about which the witness may be questioned;

(e)the use of models, plans, body maps or similar aids to—

(i)help communicate a question to be put to the witness; or

(ii)help the witness communicate an answer to a question put to the witness;

(f)the use of an audio visual link or another communication facility—

(i)to enable the witness and the intermediary to communicate with each other; or

(ii)for another purpose, including, for example, to enable the court, the prosecutor and the legal practitioner representing the defendant to communicate with the intermediary.

(3)In deciding whether to give a direction under this section, the court may have regard to the information given, and recommendations made, by the intermediary under section 21AZR.

(4)Subsections (1) and (2) do not limit the Criminal Code, section 590AA or the Justices Act 1886, section 83A.

s 21AZS ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

pt 2 div 4C sdiv 4 hdg ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

21AZT Way evidence of witness to be given

(1)This section applies if an intermediary is appointed for a witness in a relevant proceeding.

(2)The witness’s evidence in the relevant proceeding must be given—

(a)in the presence of the intermediary; or

(b)in compliance with a direction given under section 21AZS(2)(f)(i).

s 21AZT ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

21AZU Instructions to be given to jury

(1)This section applies in relation to a relevant proceeding on indictment if a witness’s evidence in the proceeding is given under section 21AZT(2)(a) or (b).

(2)The judge presiding at the relevant proceeding must instruct the jury that—

(a)the jury should not draw any inference as to the defendant’s guilt from the use of the intermediary; and

(b)the probative value of the evidence of the witness is not increased or decreased because of the use of the intermediary; and

(c)the evidence of the witness is not to be given any greater or lesser weight because of the use of the intermediary.

(3)However, the judge must not give an instruction under subsection (2)(b) or (c) if the judge is satisfied it would not be in the interests of justice to give the instruction.

s 21AZU ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

pt 2 div 4C sdiv 5 hdg ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

21AZV Chief executive to establish intermediaries panel

(1)The chief executive must establish a panel of persons the chief executive is satisfied are suitable to perform the functions of an intermediary.

(2)A person is not suitable to perform the functions of an intermediary unless the person—

(a)has a relevant qualification; and

(b)meets any requirements for professional registration, licensing or authorisation prescribed by regulation; and

(c)meets any other requirements prescribed by regulation.

(3)Subsection (2) does not limit the matters to which the chief executive may have regard in considering the suitability of a person to perform the functions of an intermediary.

(4)The panel established under this section is the intermediaries panel.

(5)In this section—

relevant qualification means—

(a)a tertiary qualification in occupational therapy, psychology, social work or speech pathology; or

(b)other qualifications, training, experience or skills prescribed by regulation.

s 21AZV ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

21AZW Removal of person from intermediaries panel

(1)This section applies if the chief executive decides a person included on the intermediaries panel is no longer suitable to perform the functions of an intermediary.

(2)The chief executive must—

(a)remove the person from the intermediaries panel; and

(b)give the person a written notice stating the reasons for the decision.

s 21AZW ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

21AZX Criminal history report

(1)This section applies for deciding under section 21AZV or 21AZW whether a person is suitable to perform the functions of an intermediary.

(2)The chief executive may ask the police commissioner for—

(a)a written report about the criminal history of the person; and

(b)a brief description of the circumstances of a conviction mentioned in the criminal history.

(3)However, the chief executive may make the request only if the person has given the chief executive written consent for the request.

(4)The police commissioner must comply with the request.

(5)However, the duty to comply applies only in relation to information in the commissioner’s possession or to which the commissioner has access.

(6)In this section—

criminal history, of a person, means the person’s criminal history as defined under the Criminal Law (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act 1986, other than spent convictions.

s 21AZX ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

amd 2022 No. 12 s 52 sch 1 pt 1; 2023 No. 23 s 247 sch 1 s 4

21AZY Confidentiality of criminal history information

(1)This section applies to a person who possesses criminal history information because the person is or was an officer, employee or agent of the department.

(2)The person must not, directly or indirectly, disclose the criminal history information to another person unless the disclosure is permitted under subsection (3).

Maximum penalty—100 units.

(3)The person may disclose the criminal history information to another person—

(a)to the extent necessary to perform the person’s functions under this Act; or

(b)if the disclosure is authorised under an Act; or

(c)if the disclosure is otherwise required or permitted by law; or

(d)if the person to whom the information relates consents to the disclosure; or

(e)if the disclosure is in a form that does not identify the person to whom the information relates; or

(f)if the information is, or has been, lawfully accessible to the public.

(4)The chief executive must ensure a document containing criminal history information is destroyed as soon as practicable after it is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was requested.

(5)In this section—

criminal history information means a report, or information contained in a report, given to the chief executive under section 21AZX.

s 21AZY ins 2020 No. 32 s 44

pt 2 div 5 hdg ins 2000 No. 57 s 4

sub 2005 No. 45 s 51

pt 2 div 5 sdiv 1 hdg ins 2005 No. 45 s 51

21BPurposes of div 5

The purposes of this division are—

(a)to facilitate, for law enforcement purposes, investigations in relation to criminal activity, including investigations extending beyond Queensland, by—

(i)providing for the protection of the identity of operatives; and

(ii)facilitating the recognition of witness identity protection certificates under corresponding laws; and

(b)to facilitate investigations by the CCC in relation to corruption by providing for the protection of the identity of operatives.

s 21B ins 2000 No. 57 s 4

amd 2001 No. 69 s 378 sch 1

sub 2005 No. 45 s 51

amd 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2

21CDefinitions for div 5

In this division—

assumed name, of an operative, see section 21G(1)(a)(i).

CCC means the Crime and Corruption Commission.

s 21C def CCC ins 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2

chief executive officer, of a law enforcement agency, means—

(a)for the CCC—the chairperson of the CCC; or

(b)for the police service—the police commissioner.

s 21C def chief executive officer amd 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2; 2016 No. 19 s 46 sch 1; 2022 No. 12 s 52 sch 1 pt 1

CMC ...

s 21C def CMC om 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2

conduct includes any act or omission.

convicted means found guilty, or having a plea of guilty accepted by a court, whether or not a conviction is recorded.

corresponding law means a law of another jurisdiction that is declared under a regulation to correspond to this division.

corresponding witness identity protection certificate means a certificate given under a corresponding law that corresponds to section 21F.

corruption see the Crime and Corruption Act 2001, schedule 2.

s 21C def corruption ins 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2

court name, for an operative in relation to a proceeding, means a name, other than the operative’s real name, or code used to identify the operative in the proceeding.

criminal activity means conduct that involves the commission of an offence by 1 or more persons.

investigation means an investigation in relation to—

(a)criminal activity, including an investigation extending beyond Queensland; or

(b)corruption.

s 21C def investigation amd 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2

jurisdiction means the Commonwealth or a State of the Commonwealth.

law enforcement agency means—

(a)the CCC; or

(b)the police service.

s 21C def law enforcement agency amd 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2

misconduct ...

s 21C def misconduct om 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2

operative means a person who is or was—

(a)a covert operative under the Crime and Corruption Act 2001, chapter 3, part 6A; or

(b)a participant in an authorised operation under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, chapter 11; or

(c)an authorised person under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, chapter 12.

s 21C def operative amd 2000 No. 5 s 810 sch 4 (amd 2006 No. 26 ss 84, 86); 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2

party, to a proceeding, means—

(a)for a criminal proceeding—the prosecutor and each accused person; or

(b)for a civil proceeding—each person who is a party to the proceeding; or

(c)for another proceeding—each person who has been given leave to appear in the proceeding.

relevant court, for a proceeding, means the entity before whom or which the proceeding is held or taken.

witness identity protection certificate means a certificate given under section 21F.

s 21C ins 2000 No. 57 s 4

sub 2005 No. 45 s 51

21DApplication of div 5 to lawyer of party to a proceeding

For this division—

(a)anything permitted to be done by a party to a proceeding may be done by the party’s lawyer; and

(b)any requirement to give something to, or notify, a party to a proceeding is satisfied by giving the thing to, or notifying, the party’s lawyer.

s 21D ins 2000 No. 57 s 4

amd 2001 No. 69 s 378 sch 1

sub 2005 No. 45 s 51

pt 2 div 5 sdiv 2 hdg ins 2005 No. 45 s 51

21EApplication of sdiv 2

(1)This subdivision applies to a proceeding in which an operative is, or may be, required to give evidence obtained as an operative.

(2)To remove any doubt, it is declared that this subdivision does not affect the operation of the common law in relation to the protection of the identity of a person who is not an operative who gives or intends to give evidence in a proceeding.

s 21E ins 2000 No. 57 s 4

sub 2005 No. 45 s 51

21FGiving witness identity protection certificate

(1)The chief executive officer of a law enforcement agency may give a witness identity protection certificate for an operative of the agency in relation to a proceeding if—

(a)the operative is, or may be required, to give evidence in the proceeding; and

(b)the chief executive officer is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the disclosure in the proceeding of the operative’s identity or where the operative lives is likely to—

(i)endanger the safety of the operative or someone else; or

(ii)prejudice an investigation.

(2)The chief executive officer must make all reasonable enquiries to enable him or her to find out the information required to be included in the witness identity protection certificate under section 21G.

(3)A decision to give a witness identity protection certificate—

(a)is final; and

(b)can not be impeached for informality or want of form; and

(c)can not be appealed against, reviewed, called into question, quashed or invalidated in any court.

(4)Subsection (3) does not prevent a decision to give a witness identity protection certificate being called into question during a proceeding of a disciplinary nature against the person who made the decision.

s 21F ins 2000 No. 57 s 4

sub 2005 No. 45 s 51

21GForm of witness identity protection certificate

(1)A witness identity protection certificate for an operative of a law enforcement agency in relation to a proceeding must be in the approved form and state all of the following—

(a)if the operative—

(i)is known to a party to the proceeding or a party’s lawyer by a name other than the operative’s real name—that name (the assumed name); or

(ii)is not known to any party to the proceeding or any party’s lawyer by a name—the operative’s court name for the proceeding;

(b)the period the operative was involved in the investigation to which the proceeding relates;

(c)the name of the agency;

(d)the date of the certificate;

(e)a general description of the reasons for giving the certificate;

(f)whether the operative has been convicted of an offence, in Queensland or elsewhere, and, if so, particulars of each offence;

(g)whether a charge against the operative for an offence is outstanding, in Queensland or elsewhere, and, if so, particulars of each charge;

(h)if the operative is, or was, a law enforcement officer—

(i)whether the operative has been found guilty of professional misconduct and, if so, particulars of each finding; and

(ii)whether any allegation of professional misconduct against the operative is outstanding and, if so, particulars of each allegation;

(i)whether, to the knowledge of the person giving the certificate, a court has made any adverse comment about the operative’s credibility and, if so, particulars of the comment;

(j)whether, to the knowledge of the person giving the certificate, the operative has made a false representation when the truth was required and, if so, particulars of the representation;

(k)if there is anything else known to the person giving the certificate that may be relevant to the operative’s credibility—particulars of the thing.

(2)A witness identity protection certificate for an operative must not contain information that may allow the operative’s identity, or where the operative lives, to be revealed.

(3)For this section—

(a)a charge against a person for an offence is outstanding until the charge is finally dealt with in any of the following ways—

(i)the charge is withdrawn;

(ii)the charge is dismissed by a court;

(iii)the person is discharged by a court;

(iv)the person is acquitted or convicted of the offence by a court; and

(b)an allegation of professional misconduct against a person is outstanding if the allegation has not been finally dealt with.

(4)The Criminal Law (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act 1986 does not apply to the disclosure of information under subsection (1)(f) or (g).

(5)In this section—

charge, for an offence, means a charge in any form, including, for example, the following—

(a)a charge on an arrest;

(b)a notice to appear served under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, section 382;

(c)a complaint under the Justices Act 1886;

(d)a charge by a court under the Justices Act 1886, section 42(1A), or another provision of an Act;

(e)an indictment.

false representation does not include a representation made under—

(a)an authority, or a corresponding authority, under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, chapter 11 or 12; or

(b)an approval under the Crime and Corruption Act 2001, chapter 3, part 6A.

law enforcement officer means—

(a)a commission officer under the Crime and Corruption Act 2001; or

(b)a police officer.

professional misconduct means—

(a)corruption under the Crime and Corruption Act 2001; or

(b)misconduct or another ground for disciplinary action under—

(i)the Police Service Administration Act 1990; or

(ii)a law of another jurisdiction, or a foreign country, that corresponds to the Police Service Administration Act 1990.

s 21G ins 2000 No. 57 s 4

sub 2005 No. 45 s 51

amd 2006 No. 26 s 108; 2000 No. 5 s 810 sch 4 (amd 2006 No. 26 ss 84, 86); 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2; 2019 No. 32 s 32 sch 1

21HFiling and notification

(1)If the chief executive officer of a law enforcement agency gives a witness identity protection certificate for an operative in relation to a proceeding, the agency must—

(a)file the certificate with the relevant court for the proceeding before the operative gives evidence in the proceeding; and

(b)if the agency is the police service—give to the chairperson of the CCC a copy of the certificate and notice of the date it was filed.

(2)Also, the law enforcement agency must give a copy of the witness identity protection certificate to each party to the proceeding at least 14 days, or the shorter period agreed to by a party, before the day the operative is to give evidence.

(3)The relevant court may order the law enforcement agency to give a copy of the witness identity protection certificate to someone else stated in the order.

s 21H ins 2000 No. 57 s 4

sub 2005 No. 45 s 51

amd 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2; 2016 No. 19 s 46 sch 1

21IEffect of witness identity protection certificate

(1)This section applies if—

(a)a witness identity protection certificate for an operative in relation to a proceeding is filed under section 21H(1)(a); and

(b)either—

(i)a copy of the certificate is given to each party under section 21H(2) and to each person, if any, stated in an order under section 21H(3) for the certificate; or

(ii)the relevant court for the proceeding gives leave for this section to apply despite noncompliance with section 21H(2) or (3).

(2)If this section applies—

(a)the operative may give evidence in the proceeding under the assumed name, or court name, stated in the certificate; and

(b)subject to section 21K—

(i)a question must not be asked of a witness, including the operative, that may lead to the disclosure of the operative’s identity or where the operative lives; and

(ii)a witness, including the operative, can not be required to, and must not, answer a question, give evidence or provide information that discloses, or may lead to the disclosure of, the operative’s identity or where the operative lives; and

(iii)a person involved in the proceeding must not make a statement that discloses, or may lead to the disclosure of, the operative’s identity or where the operative lives.

(3)For this section, a person involved in a proceeding includes the following—

(a)the relevant court;

(b)a party to the proceeding;

(c)a person given leave to be heard or make submissions in the proceeding;

(d)a lawyer representing a person mentioned in paragraph (b) or (c) or a lawyer assisting the court in the proceeding;

(e)any other officer of the court or person assisting the court in the proceeding;

(f)a person acting in the execution of any process or the enforcement of any order in the proceeding.

s 21I ins 2000 No. 57 s 4

sub 2005 No. 45 s 51

21JOrders to protect operative’s identity etc.

(1)The court with which a witness identity protection certificate is filed may make any order it considers necessary or desirable—

(a)to protect the identity of the operative for whom the certificate is given; or

(b)to prevent the disclosure of where the operative lives.

Examples of orders—

•an order prohibiting sketching of the operative

•an order that the operative give evidence in the absence of the public

(2)A person commits an offence if—

(a)the person knows that, or is reckless as to whether, an order has been made under subsection (1); and

(b)the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly contravenes the order.

Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.

(3)Subsection (2) does not limit the court’s power to punish for contempt.

s 21J ins 2000 No. 57 s 4

amd 2001 No. 69 s 378 sch 1

sub 2005 No. 45 s 51

21KDisclosure of operative’s identity etc. despite certificate

(1)This section applies if a witness identity protection certificate for an operative in relation to a proceeding is filed with a court.

(2)A party to the proceeding, or a lawyer assisting the court in the proceeding, may apply to the court—

(a)for leave—

(i)to ask a question of a witness, including the operative, that may lead to the disclosure of the operative’s identity or where the operative lives; or

(ii)for a person involved in the proceeding to make a statement that discloses, or may lead to the disclosure of, the operative’s identity or where the operative lives; or

(b)for an order requiring a witness, including the operative, to answer a question, give evidence or provide information that discloses, or may lead to the disclosure of, the operative’s identity or where the operative lives.

(3)The court may—

(a)give leave for the party or lawyer to do anything mentioned in subsection (2)(a); or

(b)make an order requiring a witness to do anything mentioned in subsection (2)(b).

(4)However, the court must not give leave or make an order unless satisfied about each of the following—

(a)there is evidence that, if accepted, would substantially call into question the operative’s credibility;

(b)it would be impractical to test properly the credibility of the operative without allowing the risk of disclosure of, or disclosing, the operative’s identity or where the operative lives;

(c)it is in the interests of justice for the operative’s credibility to be able to be tested.

(5)If there is a jury in the proceeding, the application must be heard in the absence of the jury.

(6)Unless the court considers that the interests of justice require otherwise, the court must be closed when—

(a)the application is made; and

(b)if leave is given or an order is made—the question is asked and answered, the evidence is given, the information is provided or the statement is made.

(7)The court must make an order suppressing the publication of anything said when—

(a)the application is made; and

(b)if leave is given or an order is made—the question is asked and answered, the evidence is given, the information is provided or the statement is made.

(8)Nothing in subsection (7) prevents the taking of a transcript of court proceedings, but the court may make an order for how the transcript is to be dealt with, including an order suppressing its publication.

(9)The court may make any other order it considers appropriate to protect the operative’s identity or to prevent the disclosure of where the operative lives.

(10)A person commits an offence if—

(a)the person knows that, or is reckless as to whether, an order has been made under subsection (7), (8) or (9); and

(b)the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly contravenes the order.

Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.

(11)Subsection (10) does not limit the court’s power to punish for contempt.

s 21K ins 2000 No. 57 s 4

sub 2005 No. 45 s 51

21KADirections to jury

(1)This section applies if—

(a)a witness identity protection certificate for an operative in relation to a proceeding is filed with a court; and

(b)there is a jury in the proceeding; and

(c)the operative gives evidence.

(2)The court must, unless it considers it inappropriate, direct the jury not to give the operative’s evidence any more or less weight, or draw any adverse inferences against the defendant or another party to the proceeding, because—

(a)there is a witness identity protection certificate for the operative; or

(b)the court has made an order under section 21J or section 21K(7), (8) or (9).

s 21KA ins 2005 No. 45 s 51

21KBWitness identity protection certificate—cancellation

(1)This section applies if the chief executive officer of a law enforcement agency gives a witness identity protection certificate for an operative of the agency in relation to a proceeding.

(2)The chief executive officer must cancel the witness identity protection certificate if the chief executive officer considers that it is no longer necessary or appropriate to prevent the disclosure of the operative’s identity or where the operative lives.

(3)If the chief executive officer cancels the certificate after it has been filed with a court, the chief executive officer must immediately give written notice of the cancellation to the court and each party to the proceeding.

s 21KB ins 2005 No. 45 s 51

21KCPermission to give information disclosing operative’s identity etc.

(1)This section applies if the chief executive officer of a law enforcement agency gives a witness identity protection certificate for an operative of the agency in relation to a proceeding.

(2)The chief executive officer may, in writing, permit a person to give information, otherwise than in the proceeding, that discloses, or may lead to the disclosure of, the operative’s identity or where the operative lives if the chief executive officer considers it necessary or appropriate for the information to be given.

(3)The permission must state—

(a)the name of the person who may give the information; and

(b)the name of the person to whom the information may be given; and

(c)the information that may be given.

(4)The permission also may state how the information may be given.

s 21KC ins 2005 No. 45 s 51

21KDDisclosure offences

(1)A person commits an offence if—

(a)a witness identity protection certificate for an operative in relation to a proceeding has been given; and

(b)the person knows that, or is reckless as to whether, the certificate has been given; and

(c)the person intentionally, knowingly or recklessly does something (the disclosure action) that discloses, or is likely to lead to the disclosure of, the operative’s identity or where the operative lives; and

(d)the person knows that, or is reckless as to whether, the certificate had not been cancelled under section 21KB before the person does the disclosure action; and

(e)the person knows that, or is reckless as to whether, the disclosure action is not—

(i)authorised by leave or an order under section 21K; or

(ii)permitted under section 21KC.

Maximum penalty—2 years imprisonment.

(2)A person commits a crime if the person commits an offence against subsection (1) in circumstances in which the person—

(a)intends to endanger the health or safety of any person or prejudice the effective conduct of an investigation; or

(b)knows that, or is reckless as to whether, the disclosure action—

(i)endangers or will endanger the health or safety of any person; or

(ii)prejudices or will prejudice the effective conduct of an investigation.

Maximum penalty—10 years imprisonment.

s 21KD ins 2005 No. 45 s 51

21KEReview of giving of witness identity protection certificate by police service

(1)This section applies to a witness identity protection certificate filed with a court by the police service.

(2)As soon as practicable after the end of the proceeding in which the witness identity protection certificate is filed by the police service, the police commissioner must give the chairperson of the CCC notice of the date the proceeding to which the certificate relates ended.

(3)The chairperson of the CCC must—

(a)review the giving of the witness identity protection certificate as soon as practicable after the end of the proceeding to which the certificate relates and, in any event, within 3 months after the end of the year in which the certificate is filed; and

(b)consider whether, in the circumstances, it was appropriate to give the certificate; and

(c)if the chairperson considers it was inappropriate to give the certificate, notify whichever of the following is relevant of that fact as soon as practicable—

(i)each party to the proceeding;

(ii)a lawyer assisting the court.

(4)The police commissioner, if asked by the chairperson of the CCC, must give the chairperson—

(a)all the information the police service used for deciding to give the witness identity protection certificate; and

(b)particulars relating to each person to whom a copy of the certificate was given under section 21H(2) or (3).

(5)The chairperson of the CCC must give a copy of any report on the review to the police commissioner as soon as practicable after the report is completed.

s 21KE ins 2005 No. 45 s 51

amd 2006 No. 26 s 109; 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2; 2016 No. 19 s 46 sch 1; 2022 No. 12 s 52 sch 1 pt 1

21KFGiving information about witness identity protection certificates

(1)As soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, the chief executive officer of a law enforcement agency, other than the CCC, must give to the chairperson of the CCC a written report containing all of the following information for the financial year—

(a)the number of witness identity protection certificates given by the chief executive officer;

(b)the basis on which the chief executive officer was satisfied about the matters mentioned in section 21F(1)(b) for each certificate;

(c)if leave was given or an order made under section 21K in a proceeding in which a witness identity protection certificate for an operative of the agency was filed—details of the proceeding that relate to the leave or order;

(d)if a witness identity protection certificate was cancelled under section 21KB—the reasons for the cancellation;

(e)if a permission was given under section 21KC—the reasons for giving the permission;

(f)any other information relating to witness identity protection certificates and the administration of this division that the chairperson of the CCC considers appropriate.

(2)The report must not include information that discloses, or may lead to the disclosure of, an operative’s identity, or where the operative lives, unless the witness identity protection certificate for the operative has been cancelled.

s 21KF ins 2005 No. 45 s 51

amd 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2; 2016 No. 19 s 46 sch 1

21KGReport about witness identity protection certificates

(1)The CCC must include in its annual report for a financial year the following information about witness identity protection certificates given under this division in the financial year—

(a)the number of witness identity protection certificates given by each chief executive officer;

(b)the basis on which the chief executive officer was satisfied about the matters mentioned in section 21F(1)(b) for each certificate;

(c)if leave was given or an order made under section 21K in a proceeding in which a witness identity protection certificate was filed—details of the proceeding that relate to the leave or order;

(d)if a witness identity protection certificate was cancelled under section 21KB—the reasons for the cancellation;

(e)if a permission was given under section 21KC—the reasons for giving the permission;

(f)any other information relating to witness identity protection certificates and the administration of this division that the chairperson of the CCC considers appropriate.

(2)The annual report must not include information that discloses, or may lead to the disclosure of, an operative’s identity, or where the operative lives, unless the witness identity protection certificate for the operative has been cancelled.

(3)In this section—

annual report, of the CCC, means the report given by the CCC under the Financial Accountability Act 2009, section 63.

s 21KG ins 2005 No. 45 s 51

amd 2009 No. 9 s 136 sch 1; 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2; 2016 No. 19 s 46 sch 1

21KHRecognition of witness identity protection certificates under corresponding laws

Sections 21H to 21KA and section 21KD apply, with any necessary changes, to a corresponding witness identity protection certificate as if it were a witness identity protection certificate given under section 21F.

s 21KH ins 2005 No. 45 s 51

pt 2 div 5 sdiv 3 hdg ins 2005 No. 45 s 51

21KIDelegation

(1)Other than as provided by this section, and despite any other Act or law to the contrary, the powers of a chief executive officer under this division may not be delegated to any other person.

(2)A chief executive officer of a law enforcement agency may delegate any of the chief executive officer’s powers under this division, other than this power of delegation, to a senior officer of the agency.

(3)In this section—

senior officer, of a law enforcement agency, means—

(a)for the police service—a deputy commissioner of the police service; or

(b)for the CCC—a senior executive officer under the Crime and Corruption Act 2001.

s 21KI ins 2005 No. 45 s 51

amd 2014 No. 21 s 94 (2) sch 2

pt 2 div 6 hdg ins 2000 No. 43 s 47

21LApplication of division 6

(1)This division applies only to criminal proceedings, other than summary proceedings under the Justices Act 1886.

(2)However, despite subsection (1), this division does apply to summary proceedings under the Justices Act 1886 for a domestic violence offence.

s 21L ins 2000 No. 43 s 47

amd 2023 No. 1 s 59

21MMeaning of protected witness

(1)For this division, each of the following persons is a protected witness—

(a)a witness under 16 years;

(b)a witness who is a person with an impairment of the mind;

(c)for a proceeding for a domestic violence offence or prescribed special offence, an alleged victim of the offence;

(d)for a proceeding for a prescribed offence, an alleged victim of the offence who the court considers would be likely to be disadvantaged as a witness, or to suffer severe emotional trauma, unless treated as a protected witness;

(e)for a proceeding for a domestic violence order-related offence, a person who—

(i)is named as the aggrieved, or a relative or associate of the aggrieved, in the domestic violence order; and

(ii)the court considers would be likely to be disadvantaged as a witness, or to suffer severe emotional trauma, unless treated as a protected witness.

(2)It does not matter whether the proceeding mentioned in subsection (1)(c) or (d) relates also to another offence that is not a domestic violence offence, a prescribed special offence or a prescribed offence.

(3)In this section—

alleged victim of an offence means a person, other than the person charged, who is—

(a)alleged to be a person in relation to whom the offence was committed; or

(b)alleged to have been subject to violence in relation to the offence.

domestic violence order-related offence, in relation to a domestic violence order, means—

(a)an offence for the contravention of the domestic violence order under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012, section 177(2); or

(b)an offence for an act or omission that also constitutes an offence mentioned in paragraph (a).

prescribed offence means an offence defined in the Criminal Code, section 75, 122, 127, 206, 229BB, 229BC, 308, 309, 319A, 323, 335, 338A, 339, 340, 346, 354, 354A, 355, 359, 413, 414, 415, 417A or 419.

prescribed special offence means an offence defined in the Criminal Code, section 210, 213, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 221, 222, 227, 229B, 306, 313, 315, 315A, 316, 317, 320, 320A, 322, 323A, 323B, 324, 359E, 363, 363A, 364, 409 or 412 or chapter 32.

violence means—

(a)an assault on, or injury to, a person; or

(b)a threat of an assault on, or an injury to, a person.

s 21M ins 2000 No. 43 s 47

amd 2008 No. 55 s 150 sch; 2016 No. 50 s 40 sch 1; 2017 No. 41 s 18; 2018 No. 23 s 30; 2019 No. 15 s 7; 2020 No. 32 s 45; 2023 No. 1 s 60

21NNo cross-examination of protected witness by person charged

A person charged may not cross-examine a protected witness in person.

s 21N ins 2000 No. 43 s 47

21OProcedure for cross-examination of protected witness if person charged has no legal representative

(1)This section applies if—

(a)a person charged does not have a legal representative for a proceeding; and

(b)the court rules that a person is a protected witness for the proceeding.

(2)The court must advise the person charged present before the court that—

(a)the person charged may not cross-examine the protected witness in person; and

(b)the court will arrange for the person charged to be given free legal assistance by Legal Aid for the cross-examination unless the person charged—

(i)arranges for legal representation; or

(ii)does not want the protected witness to be cross-examined.

(3)The court must also require the person charged to advise the court by a particular date or time the court considers reasonable if the person charged—

(a)has arranged for a legal representative to act for the person charged for the proceeding; or

(b)has arranged for a legal representative to act for the person charged for cross-examination of the protected witness; or

(c)does not want the protected witness to be cross-examined.

(4)If, by the particular date or time, the court has not received advice from the person charged under subsection (3) that the person charged has arranged for a legal representative or does not want the protected witness cross-examined, the court must make an order that the person charged be given free legal assistance by Legal Aid for the cross-examination of the protected witness by a lawyer.

s 21O ins 2000 No. 43 s 47

21PLegal assistance for cross-examination of protected witness

If a person charged is given legal assistance by Legal Aid because of an order under section 21O(4), the lawyer who cross-examines the protected witness for the person charged is the person’s legal representative for the purposes only of the cross-examination.

s 21P ins 2000 No. 43 s 47

21QSatisfaction of Criminal Code, section 616

(1)This section applies if a person charged who does not have a legal representative for the cross-examination of a protected witness refuses legal assistance, available because of an order under section 21O(4), to cross-examine the witness.

(2)The Criminal Code, section 616 is taken to have been satisfied for the person charged in relation to cross-examination of the witness despite the person charged being unable to cross-examine the witness because of section 21N.

s 21Q ins 2000 No. 43 s 47

21RJury direction

(1)This section applies if there is a jury and a person charged—

(a)does not have a legal representative other than for the cross-examination of a protected witness; or

(b)does not have a legal representative for the cross-examination of a protected witness.

(2)The court must give the jury any warning the court considers necessary to ensure the person charged is not prejudiced by any inference that might be drawn from the fact the person charged has been prevented from cross-examining the protected witness in person.

s 21R ins 2000 No. 43 s 47

21SOrders, directions and rulings concerning protected witnesses

The court may make any orders or give any directions or rulings it considers appropriate for the purposes of this division on the court’s own initiative or on an application made to the court by a party to the proceeding.

s 21S ins 2000 No. 43 s 47

22Commission, request or order to examine witnesses

(1)The Supreme Court or a judge thereof, on application made under the Rules of the Supreme Court, shall have the same powers to issue a commission, request or order to examine witnesses for the purpose of civil proceedings in any court other than the Supreme Court as it or the judge has for the purpose of civil proceedings in the Supreme Court.

(2)The Rules of the Supreme Court, with such adaptations as the circumstances may require, shall apply and extend to a commission, request or order to examine witnesses issued by authority of subsection (1) and to all proceedings taken thereunder as if the commission, request or order were issued by authority of those rules.

(3)Subject to all just exceptions, the depositions taken upon the examination of a witness before an examiner by virtue of this section certified under the hand of the examiner are admissible in evidence, without proof of the signature to such certificate, unless it is proved that the witness is at the time of the hearing at which the depositions are offered in evidence within a convenient distance of the place of the hearing and able to attend.

(4)The costs of proceedings taken by virtue of this section shall be costs in the cause, unless otherwise directed either by the judge issuing the commission, request or order or by the court for the purpose of whose proceedings the examination is conducted.

s 22 amd 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1

23Commission or order in criminal cases

(1)In any criminal proceeding, if any witness is out of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court or more than 400km from the intended place of trial or is from age or infirmity unable to attend the trial or if the testimony of any witness is in danger of being lost by reason of the age or infirmity of the witness or by reason of the witness being about to depart out of the jurisdiction or to some place beyond the said distance of 400km, the Supreme Court or a judge thereof may, on the application or with the consent of the Attorney-General or the Crown prosecutor as well as the person charged, but not otherwise, order—

(a)that any such witness within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court be examined on oath, either viva voce or upon interrogatories or otherwise, before a specified officer of the court or other specified person; or

(b)that a commission issue for the examination of such witness on oath, either viva voce or upon interrogatories or otherwise, at any place in or out of the jurisdiction.

(2)The Supreme Court or a judge thereof may, at the same time or subsequently, give all such directions touching the time, place and manner of such examination, as well within the jurisdiction as without, and all other matters and circumstances connected with such examination as appear reasonable and just.

(3)Subject to all just exceptions, the depositions taken upon the examination of a witness before an examiner by virtue of this section certified under the hand of the examiner are admissible in evidence, without proof of the signature to such certificate, unless it is proved that the witness is at the time of the hearing at which the depositions are offered in evidence within a convenient distance of the place of the hearing and able to attend.

(4)Any person authorised by any order or commission under this section to take the examination of any witness shall take such examination upon the oath of such witness and may administer the necessary oaths to such witness.

24Power of person appointed by foreign authority to take evidence and administer oaths

(1)Subject to subsections (2) to (4), where an authority desires to take or receive evidence in Queensland, that authority may appoint a person to take or receive evidence in Queensland and a person so appointed has power to take or receive evidence in Queensland for that authority and for that purpose to administer an oath.

(2)Where the authority is not a court or judge, a person so appointed has no power to take or receive evidence, or to administer an oath, in Queensland unless the person has first obtained the consent of the Attorney-General.

(3)This section does not authorise the taking or receiving of evidence by a person so appointed in or for use in criminal proceedings.

(4)In this section—

authority means any court, judge, or person who, or body which, is authorised under the law of a place outside Queensland to take or receive evidence on oath or under any other sanction authorised by law in that place.

s 24 amd 1981 No. 3 s 2

25Definitions for div 2

In this division—

corresponding court—

(a)in relation to a court or person acting judicially in a prescribed country—means the court or person acting judicially in Queensland declared by regulation to be the court or person in Queensland that corresponds to that court or person in the prescribed country; and

(b)in relation to a court or person acting judicially in Queensland—means the court or person acting judicially in a prescribed country declared by regulation to be the court or person in a prescribed country that corresponds to that court or person in Queensland.

examiner means a judge, magistrate, clerk of a Magistrates Court or any duly qualified legal practitioner.

prescribed country means any State or Territory of the Commonwealth, New Zealand and any other State, Territory or country that is declared by regulation to be a prescribed country for the purposes of this division.

s 25 amd 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1

26Power of Queensland court to request corresponding court in a prescribed country to take evidence for use in Queensland court

(1)Where a court or person acting judicially in Queensland is authorised by or under any Act or law to authorise or order evidence to be taken otherwise than at the hearing of the legal proceedings in respect of which the evidence is required, that court or person may on the application of a person who desires to lead evidence, if it or the person is satisfied that it is necessary in the interests of justice, request a corresponding court to order the examination of a witness or the production of documents by a person or both such examination and production.

(2)Any deposition received from a corresponding court which purports to have been signed by the deponent and the examiner or to have been certified as a correct record by the examiner may, subject to all just exceptions, be put in as evidence at the hearing of the legal proceedings and any documents received from a corresponding court may, subject to all just exceptions, be put in at the hearing as if produced at the hearing by the person who produced the documents pursuant to the order of the corresponding court.

(3)A court or person acting judicially shall take judicial notice of the seal of a corresponding court and of the signature of any examiner appointed by a corresponding court.

27Power to take evidence on request from corresponding court of a prescribed country

(1)Where by or under any Act or law of a prescribed country provision is made for the evidence of any person that is required in connection with any legal proceedings to be taken otherwise than at the hearing of those proceedings by a court or person acting judicially, a court or person acting judicially in Queensland that is a corresponding court to a court or person acting judicially in the prescribed country before which or whom legal proceedings are being held may, upon receipt of a request in writing from that court or person in the prescribed country, make an order for the examination of a witness and the production of documents by a person or both for such examination or production before an examiner named in the order at a time and place specified in the order.

(2)The order shall require reasonable notice to be given by post to each party to the legal proceedings at the party’s address as shown in the request of the time when and place where the examination is to take place or the documents are to be produced.

28Summons of witnesses

Upon service on a person of an order requiring the person to attend for examination or to produce documents, together with the payment or tender of a reasonable sum for expenses, the person shall attend at the time and place appointed and shall have and be subject to the same rights and liabilities as if the person were summoned before the court or person by which or whom the order was made.

29Examination

(1)Subject to any directions contained in the order for examination—

(a)a person ordered to be examined before the examiner may be cross-examined and re-examined; and

(b)the examination, cross-examination and re-examination of persons before the examiner shall be conducted in like manner as they would have been conducted before the court or person acting judicially who made the order for the examination.

(2)The examiner may put any question to a person examined before the examiner as to the meaning of any answer made by that person or as to any matter arising in the course of the examination.

(3)An examiner shall have and may exercise such of the powers of the court or person acting judicially by whom the examiner was appointed as are necessary for the proper exercise of the examiner’s functions under this division and may administer oaths and adjourn the examination from time to time as the examiner thinks fit.

30Objections

(1)If a person being examined before an examiner objects to answering any question put to the person, or if objection is taken to any such question that question, the ground for the objection and the answer to any such question to which objection is taken shall be set out in the deposition of that person or any statement annexed thereto.

(2)The validity of the ground for objecting to answer any such question or for objecting to such question shall not be determined by the examiner but by the corresponding court at whose request the examination is being conducted.

31Depositions to be signed

(1)Where pursuant to an order for examination—

(a)a witness has given evidence to the examiner, the depositions of the witness shall be signed by the witness and by the examiner or where the witness refuses to sign or requires alterations that the examiner considers to be unjustified the depositions shall be signed by the examiner who shall certify that the depositions are a correct record and the reasons for them not being signed by the witness;

(b)documents have been produced to the examiner by a person not giving evidence, the examiner shall attach to such documents a certificate signed by the examiner stating the name of that person.

(2)All depositions and documents taken before or produced to the examiner pursuant to any such order shall be delivered by the examiner to the court or person by which or whom the order was made for transmission to the corresponding court.

32Power of Queensland court to transmit requests to other places

Where a court or person acting judicially in Queensland receives a request from a corresponding court for the examination of a witness or the production of documents by a person and it appears to the court or person acting judicially that the witness or person is not in Queensland and is not proceeding to Queensland but is in or proceeding to another country that is a prescribed country under the law of the country of the corresponding court the court—

(a)may transmit the request to a corresponding court in that other prescribed country together with such information as it or the person possesses concerning the whereabouts and intended movements of the person;

(b)shall give notice to the corresponding court from which it received the request that the documents have been so transmitted.

33Saving as to personal attendance

Nothing in this division limits or abridges the power of a court or a person acting judicially to require a witness to attend in person before the court or person.

35Definitions for div 3

In this division—

civil proceedings, in relation to a requesting court, means proceedings in any civil or commercial matter.

overseas country means a country, or part of a country, outside the Commonwealth.

request includes any commission, order or other process issued by or on behalf of a requesting court.

requesting court has the meaning given to it in section 36.

s 35 amd 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1

35AApplication of division to Crown

Nothing in this division shall be construed as enabling any court to make an order that is binding on the Crown or on any person in the person’s capacity as an officer or servant of the Crown.

s 35A (prev s 35(2)) renum 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1

36Application to Supreme Court to obtain evidence for civil proceedings in another jurisdiction

Where an application by way of originating summons is made to the Supreme Court or a judge thereof for an order for evidence to be obtained in the State, and the court or judge is satisfied—

(a)that the application is made in pursuance of a request issued by or on behalf of a court or tribunal (the requesting court) exercising jurisdiction in a State or Territory of the Commonwealth other than Queensland or in an overseas country; and

(b)that the evidence to which the application relates is to be obtained for the purposes of civil proceedings which either have been instituted before the requesting court or whose institution before that court is contemplated;

the court or judge shall have the powers conferred by the following provisions of this division.

37Power of Supreme Court to give effect to application to obtain evidence

(1)The Supreme Court or a judge thereof on an application under section 36 shall have power by order to make such provision for obtaining evidence in the State as may appear to be appropriate for the purpose of giving effect to the request in pursuance of which the application is made, and any such order may require a person specified therein to take such steps as the court or judge may consider appropriate for that purpose.

(2)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), an order under this section may make provision—

(a)for the examination of witnesses, either orally or in writing; and

(b)for the production of documents; and

(c)for the inspection, photographing, preservation, custody or detention of any property; and

(d)for the taking of samples of any property and the carrying out of any experiments on or with any property; and

(e)for the medical examination of any person.

(3)An order under this section shall not require any particular steps to be taken unless they are steps which can be required to be taken by way of obtaining evidence for the purposes of civil proceedings in the Supreme Court (whether or not proceedings of the same description as those to which the application for the order relates), but this subsection shall not preclude the making of an order requiring a person to give testimony (either orally or in writing) otherwise than on oath where this is asked for by the requesting court.

(4)An order under this section shall not require a person—

(a)to state what documents relevant to the proceedings to which the application for the order relates are or have been in the person’s possession or power; or

(b)to produce any documents other than particular documents specified in the order as being documents appearing to the court making the order to be, or to be likely to be, in the person’s possession or power.

(5)A person who, by virtue of an order under this section, is required to attend at any place shall be entitled to the like conduct money and payment for expenses and loss of time as on attendance as a witness in civil proceedings before the Supreme Court.

(6)An order under this section may be enforced in the same manner as if it were an order made by the Supreme Court or a judge thereof in proceedings pending in the Supreme Court or before the judge.

38Privilege of witnesses

(1)A person shall not be compelled by virtue of an order under section 37 to give any evidence which the person could not be compelled to give—

(a)in civil proceedings in the State; or

(b)subject to subsection (2), in civil proceedings in the State or Territory of the Commonwealth or the overseas country in which the requesting court exercises jurisdiction.

(2)Subsection (1)(b) shall not apply unless the claim of the person in question to be exempt from giving the evidence is either—

(a)supported by a statement contained in the request (whether it is so supported unconditionally or subject to conditions that are fulfilled); or

(b)conceded by the applicant for the order;

and where such a claim made by any person is not supported or conceded as aforesaid the person may (subject to the other provisions of this section) be required to give the evidence to which the claim relates but that evidence shall not be transmitted to the requesting court if that court, on the matter being referred to it, upholds the claim.

(3)In this section, references to giving evidence include references to answering any question and to producing any document and the reference in subsection (2) to the transmission of evidence given by a person shall be construed accordingly.

39Judicial proceedings for the purposes of the Criminal Code

Proceedings wherein a person gives or is required to give any testimony (either orally or in writing) pursuant to an order under section 37 shall be a judicial proceeding for the purposes of the Criminal Code, chapter 16 whether or not the testimony is given or required to be given on oath or under any other sanction authorised by law.

pt 3A hdg ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

pt 3A div 1 hdg ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39APurposes of pt 3A

The purposes of this part are—

(a)to provide for Queensland to participate in a substantially uniform interstate scheme for the taking or receiving of evidence, and the making or receiving of submissions, from or in participating States; and

(b)to facilitate the giving and receiving of evidence, and the making and receiving of submissions, in Queensland court proceedings, by audio visual link or audio link.

s 39A ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39BApplication of pt 3A

(1)This part applies to a proceeding whether commenced before or after the commencement of this part.

(2)This part does not limit any law of the State that makes provision for—

(a)the use of audio visual links or audio links; or

(b)the taking of evidence, or the making of submissions, in or outside the State for the purpose of a proceeding in the State.

(3)In particular, this part does not affect a prohibition under another Act on the making of an order about the use of an audio visual link or audio link without the consent of all parties to a proceeding.

(4)This part does not authorise a defendant in a criminal proceeding before a Queensland court to appear before, or give evidence or make a submission to the court by audio visual link or audio link unless expressly authorised by any of the following—

(a)the Criminal Code, section 597C(4);

(b)the District Court of Queensland Act 1967, section 110C;

(c)the Justices Act 1886, section 178C;

(d)the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 15A;

(e)the Supreme Court of Queensland Act 1991, section 80;

(f)the Youth Justice Act 1992, section 53 or 159.

s 39B ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

amd 2002 No. 39 s 152; 1992 No. 44 s 341 sch 3 (amd 2002 No. 39 ss 115, 118); 2009 No. 34 s 45 (1) sch pt 1 amdt 17; 2013 No. 64 s 73

39CDefinitions for pt 3A

In this part—

audio link means facilities, including telephone, that enable reasonably contemporaneous and continuous audio communication between persons at different places.

audio visual link ...

s 39C def audio visual link om 2003 No. 55 s 61

before, a court, includes in a court.

court location means the courtroom, or other place, where the court is sitting.

external location, for a court, means the location, external to the court location—

(a)in or outside Queensland or Australia from which evidence or a submission is being, is to be, or has been taken or made by audio visual link or audio link under this part; or

(b)for the application of this part under the Criminal Code, section 597C—at which an accused person is being, is to be, or has been arraigned; or

(c)for the application of this part under the Youth Justice Act 1992, section 159 or the Penalties and Sentences Act 1992, section 15A—at which an offender or a child is being, is to be, or has been sentenced.

s 39C def external location amd 1992 No. 44 s 341 sch 3 (amd 2002 No. 39 ss 115, 118); 2009 No. 34 s 45 (1) sch pt 1 amdt 17; 2013 No. 64 s 74

participating State means another State in which provisions of an Act of that State in terms that substantially correspond to divisions 2 and 3 are in force.

Queensland court means—

(a)the Supreme Court, the District Court or a Magistrates Court; or

(b)the Coroners Court; or

(c)another court established under an Act; or

(d)another tribunal declared under a regulation to be a court for this part.

s 39C def Queensland court amd 2003 No. 13 s 106 sch 1

recognised court means a court or tribunal of a participating State that is authorised by the provisions of an Act of that State in terms substantially corresponding to divisions 2 and 3 to direct that evidence be taken or submissions be made by audio visual link or audio link from Queensland.

tribunal means a body or person that may take evidence on oath.

s 39C ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

pt 3A div 2 hdg ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39DApplication of div 2

This division applies to any proceeding, including a criminal proceeding, before a Queensland court.

s 39D ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39EState courts may take evidence and submissions from outside State

(1)The court may, on the court’s own initiative or on the application of a party to a proceeding before the court, direct that evidence be taken or submissions be made by audio visual link or audio link from a participating State.

Note—

See division 3A in relation to expert witnesses giving evidence by audio visual link or audio link.

(2)The court may exercise in the participating State, in connection with taking evidence or receiving submissions by audio visual link or audio link, any of its powers that the court may be permitted, under the law of the participating State, to exercise in the participating State.

s 39E ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

amd 2003 No. 13 s 106 sch 1; 2014 No. 39 s 49

39FLegal practitioners entitled to practise

A person who is entitled to practise as a legal practitioner in a participating State is entitled to practise as a barrister or solicitor or both in relation to the following—

(a)the examination-in-chief, cross-examination or re-examination of a witness in the participating State whose evidence is being given by audio visual link or audio link in a proceeding before the court;

(b)making of submissions by audio visual link or audio link from the participating State in a proceeding before the court.

s 39F ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

pt 3A div 3 hdg ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39GApplication of div 3

This division applies to any proceeding, including a criminal proceeding, before a recognised court.

s 39G ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39HRecognised courts may take evidence or receive submissions from persons in Queensland

The court may, for a proceeding before it, take evidence or receive submissions, by audio visual link or audio link, from a person in Queensland.

s 39H ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39IPowers of recognised courts

(1)The court may, for the proceeding, exercise in Queensland, in connection with taking evidence or receiving submissions by audio visual link or audio link, any of its powers other than its powers—

(a)to punish for contempt; and

(b)to enforce or execute its judgments or process.

(2)The laws of the participating State, including rules of court, that apply to the proceeding in that State also apply to the practice and procedure of the court in taking evidence or receiving submissions by audio visual link or audio link from a person in Queensland.

(3)For the purposes of the court exercising its powers in Queensland, the external location in Queensland is taken to be part of the court location.

s 39I ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39JOrders made by recognised court

Without limiting section 39I, the court may, by order—

(a)direct that the proceeding, or a part of the proceeding, be conducted in private at the external location in Queensland; and

(b)require a person to leave the external location in Queensland; and

(c)prohibit or restrict the publication of evidence given in the proceeding or the name of a party to, or a witness in, the proceeding.

s 39J ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39KEnforcement of order

(1)An order under section 39J must be complied with.

(2)Subject to rules of court made under the Supreme Court of Queensland Act 1991, the order may be enforced by the Supreme Court as if the order were an order of that court.

(3)Without limiting subsection (2), a person who contravenes the order—

(a)is taken to be in contempt of the Supreme Court; and

(b)is punishable accordingly;

unless the person establishes that the contravention should be excused.

s 39K ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39LPrivileges, protection and immunity of participants in proceedings before recognised court

(1)A judge or other person presiding at or otherwise taking part in a judicial capacity in the proceeding before the court has, in connection with evidence being taken or submissions being received by audio visual link or audio link from the external location in Queensland, the same privileges, protection and immunity as a Supreme Court judge.

(2)A person appearing as a legal practitioner in the proceeding before the court has, in connection with evidence being taken or submissions being received by audio visual link or audio link from the external location in Queensland, the same protection and immunity as a barrister appearing before the Supreme Court.

(3)A person at the external location in Queensland appearing as a witness in the proceeding before the court by audio visual link or audio link has the same protection and immunity as a witness in a proceeding before the Supreme Court.

s 39L ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39MRecognised court may administer oath in the State

(1)The court may administer an oath or affirmation in accordance with its practice and procedure for the purpose of obtaining the testimony of a person in Queensland by audio visual link or audio link in the proceeding.

(2)Evidence given on the oath or affirmation is taken to be given in a Queensland judicial proceeding for the purposes of Queensland law.

s 39M ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39NAssistance to recognised court

An officer of a Queensland court may, if asked by the recognised court, do any of the following things for the proceeding—

(a)attend at the external location in Queensland;

(b)take the action the recognised court directs to facilitate the proceeding;

(c)administer an oath or affirmation.

s 39N ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39OContempt of recognised court

A person must not, in connection with evidence or a submission that is to be, is being, or has been given or made at the external location in Queensland in the proceeding before the court, do any of the following things—

(a)assault, in Queensland—

(i)a witness in the proceeding; or

(ii)a person appearing in the proceeding as a legal practitioner; or

(iii)an officer of a Queensland court giving assistance under section 39N;

(b)deliberately interrupt or obstruct the court;

(c)create or continue, or join in creating or continuing, a disturbance at the external location in Queensland;

(d)attempt to influence improperly anyone in connection with the proceeding;

(e)deliberately and without lawful excuse, disobey an order or direction given by the court to regulate conduct happening while evidence is being given or a submission is being made by audio visual link or audio link;

(f)do anything in connection with the proceeding that would be a contempt of court if the thing done were done in, or in relation to, a Queensland judicial proceeding.

Maximum penalty—imprisonment for 3 months.

s 39O ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39PDouble jeopardy

(1)This section applies to a person who does an act or makes an omission that is an offence both—

(a)under this part; and

(b)under a law of a participating State.

(2)The person must not be prosecuted or punished under this part for the offence if the person has been prosecuted or punished under the law of the participating State for the offence.

s 39P ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

pt 3A div 3A hdg ins 2014 No. 39 s 50

39PAApplication of div 3A

This division applies to any proceeding, including a criminal proceeding, before a Queensland court.

s 39PA ins 2014 No. 39 s 50

39PBExpert witnesses to give evidence by audio visual link

(1)This section applies if a person is called to give evidence as an expert witness in the proceeding.

(2)Subject to subsection (3) and any rules of the court, the person is to give the evidence to the court by audio visual link.

(3)The court may, on its own initiative or on the application of a party to the proceeding, direct that the person is to give oral evidence to the court other than by audio visual link if the court is satisfied it is in the interests of justice to give the direction.

(4)In deciding whether it is in the interests of justice to give a direction under subsection (3), the court may have regard to the following matters—

(a)the nature and scope of the evidence the person is to give in the proceedings;

(b)whether the use of audio visual link is likely to affect the court’s or a jury’s ability to assess the credibility or reliability of the person or the person’s evidence;

(c)the availability of appropriate audio visual facilities in the court to which the person is to give evidence;

(d)any submission made to the court by the person or any party to the proceedings about the way in which the person should give evidence.

(5)Subsection (4) does not limit the matters the court may have regard to in deciding whether it is in the interests of justice to make a direction under subsection (3).

(6)The court may, at any time, vary or revoke a direction made under this section on its own initiative or on the application of a party to the proceeding.

(7)The court must not give the person’s evidence any more or less weight, or draw any adverse inferences against a party to the proceeding, only because the person gave the evidence by audio visual link.

s 39PB ins 2014 No. 39 s 50

amd 2024 No. 5 s 75

39PCDirection to jury if expert witness gives evidence by audio visual link or audio link

(1)This section applies if—

(a)a person gives evidence in the proceeding as an expert witness; and

(b)the evidence is given by audio visual link under section 39PB or by audio link; and

(c)there is a jury in the proceeding.

(2)The court must direct the jury not to give the person’s evidence any more or less weight, or draw any adverse inferences against a party to the proceeding, only because the person gave the evidence by audio visual link or audio link.

s 39PC ins 2014 No. 39 s 50

amd 2024 No. 5 s 76

pt 3A div 4 hdg ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39QApplication of div 4

(1)This division applies to any proceeding, including a criminal proceeding, before a Queensland court.

(2)This division does not limit, and is not limited by, division 2, 3 or 3A.

s 39Q ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

amd 2014 No. 39 s 51

39RQueensland courts may take evidence and submissions from external location

(1)Subject to any rules of the court, the court may, on the application of a party to the proceeding before the court, direct that a person appear before, or give evidence or make a submission to, the court by audio visual link or audio link from a location inside or outside Queensland, including a location outside Australia.

(2)The court may, at any time, vary or revoke a direction made under this section on its own initiative or on the application of a party to the proceeding.

Note—

See division 3A in relation to expert witnesses giving evidence by audio visual link or audio link.

s 39R ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

amd 2014 No. 39 s 52

39SFailure of the link

If an audio visual link or audio link fails in the proceeding, the court may adjourn the proceeding, or make another appropriate order, as if a person present at the external location were at the court location.

s 39S ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39TExpenses

The court may make the orders it considers just for payment of expenses incurred in connection with taking evidence or making submissions by audio visual link or audio link.

s 39T ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39UExternal location to be considered part of Queensland court location

(1)An external location in the proceeding before the court is taken to be part of the court location in the proceeding for all purposes relating to a Queensland law for the administration of justice.

(2)In this section—

a law for the administration of justice includes a law about any of the following—

(a)compulsory attendance at court;

(b)punishment for failing to attend at court;

(c)the presence of a person at court;

(d)evidence, including compellability to give evidence;

(e)perjury, contempt, procedure, privileges, protection or immunities.

law includes any written or unwritten law, and a rule, practice or procedure of the court.

s 39U ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39VWitness outside Queensland—when compellable

If the external location from which a witness giving evidence by audio visual link or audio link in the proceeding is outside Queensland, the witness is compellable to give evidence only to the extent the witness—

(a)would be compellable to give the evidence if present in Queensland; and

(b)would be compellable to give the evidence in court proceedings under the law of the place from which the evidence is given.

s 39V ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39WAdministration of oaths and affirmations

An oath or affirmation may be sworn for giving testimony by audio visual link or audio link—

(a)over the link in a way that is as near as practicable to the way the witness could be sworn at the court location; or

(b)by a person at the external location in accordance with the court’s direction.

s 39W ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39XTestimony from outside Australia other than on oath

(1)This section applies if the external location is in a country other than Australia and an oath is not allowed under the law of the country.

(2)The evidence may be given otherwise than on oath under a caution or admonition that would be accepted by a court in that country for the purpose of giving evidence in the court.

(3)The probative value of the evidence given under subsection (2) is not diminished merely because the evidence is not given on oath.

(4)A person giving the evidence under subsection (2) is liable to be convicted of perjury as if the evidence were given on oath.

s 39X ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39YPutting documents to a person at an external location

(1)If in the course of examination of a person by audio visual link or audio link it is necessary to put a document to the person, the court may permit the document to be put to the person—

(a)if the document is at the court location—by sending a copy of it to the external location in any way and the copy then put to the person; or

(b)if the document is at the external location—by putting it to the person and then sending it to the court location in any way.

(2)A document put to a person under subsection (1) is admissible as evidence without proof that the transmitted copy is a true copy of the relevant document.

s 39Y ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

39ZExtension of rule-making power

If there is a power under another Act to make rules for the court, the power includes a power to make rules, not inconsistent with this part, that are necessary or convenient for carrying out or giving effect to this part.

s 39Z ins 1999 No. 65 s 4

41Public Seal of the State

All courts shall take judicial notice of the impression of the Public Seal of the State without evidence of such seal having been impressed or any other evidence relating thereto.

s 41 amd 2001 No. 80 s 94 sch 2

42Signatures of holders of public offices etc. to be judicially noticed

(1)Judicial notice must be taken of—

(a)the signature of a person who is or has been the holder of a public office; and

(b)the fact that the person holds or has held the office.

(2)For subsection (1), the following offices are public offices—

(a)the office of Governor;

(b)the office of a Minister;

(c)the office of a judge, magistrate or warden;

(d)the office of an official of a court;

(e)the office of a justice of the peace or commissioner for declarations;

(f)another office of a public nature established under an Act;

(g)an office prescribed under an Act for this section.

(3)Schedule 1 provides examples of offices of a public nature established under an Act.

(4)This section is in addition to, and does not limit, the common law, another provision of this Act or a provision of another Act.

s 42 amd 1993 No. 76 s 3 sch 1

sub 1995 No. 51 s 4 sch

42ACertain seals to be judicially noticed etc.

(1)Judicial notice must be taken of the imprint of any seal of an office or entity established under an Act, and a document on which the imprint appears must be presumed to have been properly sealed unless the contrary is established.

(2)This section is in addition to, and does not limit, the common law, another provision of this Act or a provision of another Act.

s 42A ins 1995 No. 51 s 4 sch

43Acts and statutory instruments to be judicially noticed

Judicial notice must be taken of the following—

(a)every Act;

(b)every statutory instrument;

(c)the time when every Act or statutory instrument commenced, and every provision of every Act or statutory instrument commenced;

(d)when every Act was assented to;

(e)when and by whom every item of subordinate legislation was made, approved, confirmed or otherwise consented to;

(f)when and how every item of subordinate legislation was notified;

(g)when every item of subordinate legislation was laid before the Legislative Assembly;

(h)every official copy of Queensland legislation.

s 43 sub 1993 No. 76 s 3 sch 1; 1995 No. 51 s 4 sch

amd 2013 No. 39 s 58

43AAdministrative arrangements to be judicially noticed

Judicial notice must be taken of the administrative arrangements set out in an order published in the gazette and purportedly made under the Constitution of Queensland 2001, section 44.

s 43A ins 2001 No. 80 s 94 sch 2

44Proof by purported certificate, document etc.

Where by a law in force in Queensland—

(a)a certificate; or

(b)an official or public document; or

(c)a document of a corporation; or

(d)a copy of, or extract from, a document;

is admissible in evidence for any purpose, a document purporting to be the certificate, document, copy or extract shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be admissible in evidence to the same extent and for the same purpose provided that it purports to be authenticated in the manner (if any) directed by that law.

45Proof of gazette

The production of a document purporting to be the gazette shall be evidence that the document is the gazette and was published on the day on which it bears date.

46Proof regarding government printer, parliamentary counsel and Legislative Assembly

(1)The production of a document purporting to be printed by the government printer or by the authority of the Government of the State is evidence the document was printed by the government printer or by that authority.

(2)The production of a document purporting to be authorised by the parliamentary counsel is evidence that the document was authorised by the parliamentary counsel.

(3)The production of a document purporting to be published under the authority of the Legislative Assembly is evidence the document was published under that authority.

s 46 amd 1995 No. 51 s 4 sch; 2013 No. 39 s 59

46APresumption of accuracy of official copy of Queensland legislation

(1)An official copy of Queensland legislation is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, taken to correctly show—

(a)for Queensland legislation other than a reprint—the legislation as at the relevant date; or

(b)for a reprint—the law in force included in the reprint as at the relevant date.

(2)The date of assent appearing in an official copy of an Act or a reprint of an Act is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, evidence of the date of assent.

(3)A statement of any of the following matters appearing in an official copy of subordinate legislation or a reprint of subordinate legislation is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, evidence of the matter—

(a)when and by whom the subordinate legislation was made;

(b)when and how the subordinate legislation was notified;

(c)when the subordinate legislation was laid before the Legislative Assembly;

(d)that the subordinate legislation was disallowed and the date of the disallowance.

(4)A document purporting to be a copy of, or extract from, an official copy of Queensland legislation is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, taken to be a correct copy of, or extract from, the official copy.

(5)For an official copy of a reprint authorised under the Legislative Standards Act 1992, section 10A, extract from the copy, for subsection (4), includes a document containing—

(a)1 or more pages of the copy; and

(b)a page of the copy containing the note mentioned in section 10A(2) of that Act.

(6)In this section—

made, for subordinate legislation, means made, approved, confirmed or otherwise consented to.

relevant date, for an official copy of Queensland legislation, means—

(a)for an Act as passed, or an agreement or other instrument in or attached to the Act—the day the Act was assented to; or

(b)for subordinate legislation as made, or an agreement or other instrument in or attached to the subordinate legislation—the day the subordinate legislation was made; or

(c)for an agreement or other instrument not mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) that has not been amended—the day the agreement or other instrument came into the same force of law as an Act or subordinate legislation; or

(d)for a reprint—the day or days, however described or identified in the official copy, for which the law included in the copy is or was the law in force.

s 46A (prev s 46(2)–(3)) renum 1995 No. 51 s 4 sch

amd 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1

sub 2013 No. 39 s 60

46BCourt or tribunal may inform itself about Act or statutory instrument

(1)A court or tribunal may inform itself about an Act or statutory instrument in any way it considers appropriate.

Examples of ways that may be appropriate—

1using an electronic version of an Act as available on the internet or on a CD–ROM other than a reprint of the Act authorised under the Legislative Standards Act 1992, section 10A

2using a printed copy of an Act in a publication other than a reprint of the Act authorised under the Legislative Standards Act 1992, section 10A

(2)However, the court or tribunal must consider whether the document or source it intends to consult appears to be a reliable source of information.

(3)Subsection (1) does not limit any law providing for a way in which a court or tribunal may be informed about an Act or statutory instrument, including any other provision of this Act or the Reprints Act 1992.

s 46B ins 2000 No. 58 s 2 sch

amd 2013 No. 39 s 61

47Proof of Legislative Assembly’s proceedings or legislative material

(1)A document purporting to be a copy of an official record of proceedings in the Legislative Assembly printed by the government printer or published under the authority of the Legislative Assembly is, on its production, evidence of the record.

Note—

See also the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001, section 57.

(2)A document purporting to be a copy of legislative material printed by the government printer, authorised by the parliamentary counsel or published under the authority of the Legislative Assembly is, on its production, evidence of the legislative material.

(3)In this section—

legislative material includes—

(a)a Bill, an amendment of a Bill or an explanatory note for a Bill, introduced into, moved in, tabled in, or circulated to members of, the Legislative Assembly; or

(b)an explanatory note or regulatory impact statement for subordinate legislation.

regulatory impact statement means a regulatory impact statement prepared under—

(a)the Statutory Instruments Act 1992, part 5 as in force from time to time before its repeal by the Fiscal Repair Amendment Act 2012; or

(b)guidelines, for a regulatory impact statement system, approved by the Treasurer.

s 47 amd 1995 No. 51 s 4 sch; 2012 No. 25 s 195 sch; 2013 No. 39 s 62

48Proof of particular instruments

(1)This section applies to an instrument made—

(a)by the Governor or Governor in Council; or

(b)by or under the authority of a Minister or of a public entity.

(2)Evidence of the instrument may be given by producing any of the following documents—

(a)the gazette purporting to contain it;

(b)a document purporting to be a copy of it and purporting to be printed by or under the authority of the government printer;

(c)for an instrument made by the Governor or Governor in Council—a copy or extract purporting to be certified as a true copy or extract by the clerk of the Executive Council;

(d)for an instrument made by or under the authority of a Minister—a copy or extract purporting to be certified as a true copy or extract by a Minister.

(3)If the document states any of the following matters about the instrument, the document is evidence of the matter—

(a)who made it, or under whose authority it was made;

(b)when it was made;

(c)how it, or notice of its making, was published, and when;

(d)when it was tabled in the Legislative Assembly.

(4)In this section—

made means made, approved, confirmed or otherwise consented to.

public entity means an agency, authority, commission, corporation, instrumentality, office, or other entity, established under an Act or under State authorisation for a public or State purpose.

s 48 amd 1995 No. 51 s 4 sch

sub 2013 No. 39 s 63

49Proof of standard rules, codes and specifications

If an Act or statutory instrument adopts by way of reference, wholly or in part, any of the standard rules, codes or specifications of the bodies known as the Standards Association of Australia, Standards Australia, the British Standards Institution or other body expressly or impliedly identified in the Act, evidence of any such standard rule, code or specification may be given—

(a)by the production of a document purporting to be a copy of it and purporting to be published by or on behalf of the Standards Association of Australia, Standards Australia, the British Standards Institution or other body concerned; or

(b)by the production of a document purporting to be a copy of it and purporting to be printed by the government printer or by the authority of the Government of the State.

s 49 amd 1995 No. 51 s 4 sch; 2000 No. 58 s 2 sch

50Proof of act done by Governor or Minister

Where by any law at any time in force the Governor or the Governor in Council or a Minister is authorised or empowered to do any act, production of the gazette purporting to contain a copy or notification of any such act shall be evidence of such act having been duly done.

51Proof of public documents

Where a document is of such a public nature as to be admissible in evidence on its mere production from proper custody, a copy of or extract from the document shall be admissible in evidence if—

(a)it is proved to be an examined copy or extract; or

(b)it purports to be certified as a true copy or extract under the hand of a person described in the certificate as the person to whose custody the original is entrusted.

52Proof of registers of British vessels etc.

(1)Every register of a vessel kept under any of the Acts relating to the registry of British vessels may be proved by the production of—

(a)the original; or

(b)an examined copy of the original; or

(c)a copy purporting to be certified as a true copy under the hand of the person having the charge of the original.

(2)A person having the charge of the original of such register is required to furnish such certified copy to any person applying at a reasonable time for the same upon payment of such fee (if any) as is prescribed by law.

(3)Every—

(a)such register or such copy of a register; and

(b)certificate of registry granted under any of the said Acts relating to the registry of British vessels and purporting to be signed as required by law;

shall be admissible in evidence of—

(c)all the matters contained or recited in such register when the register or such copy of the register is produced; and

(d)all the matters contained recited in or endorsed on such certificate of registry when the said certificate is produced.

53Proof of judicial proceedings

(1)Where it is sought to prove any of the following matters—

(a)a judgment, decree, rule, conviction, acquittal, sentence or other order, process, act or decision of any court;

(b)an affidavit, pleading, will, codicil, indictment or other legal document filed, deposited or presented in any court;

(c)the pendency or existence at any time before any court of any proceeding;

evidence of such matter and, as the case may be, of any particulars relating thereto may be given by the production of—

(d)the original of the order, process, act, decision or document; or

(e)a document proved to be an examined copy of the order, process, act, decision or document; or

(f)a document purporting to be a copy of the order, process, act, decision or document and to be sealed with the seal of the court; or

(g)a certificate showing such matter and such particulars and purporting to be under the hand of—

(i)a registrar of the court; or

(ii)a person having the custody of the records or documents of the court; or

(iii)any other proper officer of the court; or

(iv)a deputy of such registrar, person or officer.

(2)In this section—

court means any court of Queensland, of the Commonwealth or of any other State or Territory.

54Proof of identity of a person convicted

(1)If a person (the alleged offender) is alleged to have been convicted in Queensland, the Commonwealth or another State or Territory of an offence, an affidavit that complies with subsection (2) is proof, unless the contrary is proved, the alleged offender—

(a)has been convicted of an offence stated in the affidavit under subsection (2)(c)(iii); and

(b)is the person who is referred to as having been convicted in a certificate of conviction exhibited to the affidavit under subsection (2)(b).

(2)The affidavit must—

(a)purport to be made by an expert; and

(b)exhibit a certificate of conviction for the offence the alleged offender is alleged to have been convicted of; and

(c)state the following—

(i)the expert’s field of expertise;

(ii)the process and evidence used by the expert to determine the identity of the alleged offender based on available identifying records;

(iii)any offence that, based on the results of the expert’s determination mentioned in subparagraph (ii), a police record states the alleged offender has been convicted of;

(iv)that, based on the results of the expert’s determination mentioned in subparagraph (ii), and the police record mentioned in subparagraph (iii), the expert believes that the alleged offender is the person who is referred to as having been convicted in the certificate of conviction exhibited to the affidavit under subsection (2)(b).

(3)If a party to a proceeding intends to rely on the affidavit (the relying party), the party must give a copy of the affidavit to each other party to the proceeding—

(a)at least 10 business days before the hearing day; or

(b)if, in the particular circumstances, the court considers it just to shorten the period mentioned in paragraph (a)—by a later date allowed by the court.

(4)If a party to the proceeding, other than the relying party, intends to challenge a matter stated in the affidavit, the party must give the relying party notice in writing of the matter to be challenged—

(a)at least 3 business days before the hearing day; or

(b)if subsection (3)(b) applies and, in the particular circumstances, the court considers it just to shorten the period mentioned in paragraph (a)—by a later date allowed by the court.

(5)If a party to the proceeding (the notifying party) gives the relying party a notice under subsection (4), then, unless the notifying party otherwise agrees, the relying party must ensure that the expert is available at the hearing of the proceeding for cross-examination on the affidavit.

(6)In this section—

certificate of conviction, for an offence, means a document purporting to be the certificate of conviction, or a certified copy of the certificate of conviction, for the offence.

corresponding law, in relation to a provision of a Queensland law, means a law of the Commonwealth or another State or Territory corresponding, or substantially corresponding, to the provision.

DNA sample see the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, schedule 6.

expert means a person who is qualified to give opinion evidence as an expert witness in relation to the identity of a person based on the type of identifying records used by the expert to determine the identity of the alleged offender under subsection (2)(c)(ii).

hearing day means the day fixed for the start of the hearing of the proceeding.

identifying particulars see the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, schedule 6.

identifying records, of a person, means—

(a)any identifying particulars of the person taken under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, chapter 17, part 4 or a corresponding law; or

(b)the results of a DNA analysis performed, under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, chapter 17, part 5 or a corresponding law, on a DNA sample taken from the person under that part or a corresponding law; or

(c)a DNA sample taken from the person under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000, chapter 17, part 5 or a corresponding law.

party, to a proceeding, means—

(a)for a criminal proceeding—the prosecutor and each accused person; or

(b)for a civil proceeding—each person who is a party to the proceeding; or

(c)for another proceeding—each person who has been given leave to appear in the proceeding.

s 54 amd 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1; 2006 No. 26 s 110

sub 2013 No. 14 s 53

55Proof of incorporation or registration of company in Queensland

(1)Evidence of the incorporation or registration of a company within the meaning of the Corporations Act that is taken to be registered in Queensland may be given by the production of—

(a)a certificate of the incorporation or registration of the company that purports to be given by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (the commission), the commission’s delegate or a commission officer; or

(b)an affidavit or statutory declaration of an officer of the company (company verification) made under the Oaths Act 1867.

(2)The date of incorporation or registration mentioned in the certificate or company verification is evidence of the date on which the company was incorporated or registered.

(2A)Evidence that a company is not incorporated or registered, or no longer incorporated or registered, may be given by the production of a certificate that purports to be given by the commission, the commission’s delegate or a commission officer.

(2B)The date a company ceased being incorporated or registered mentioned in the certificate is evidence of the date on which the company ceased being incorporated or registered.

(3)A document that purports to be—

(a)a copy of, or extract from, a document kept and registered in the office of the commission; and

(b)certified by the commission or the delegate or an officer of the commission;

is admissible in evidence in all cases in which the original document is admissible and for the same purposes and to the same extent.

(4)If the prosecution in a criminal proceeding intends to rely on a company verification, the prosecutor must serve a copy of it on the defendant or the defendant’s legal representative—

(a)for a summary trial or committal proceeding—

(i)when the summons is served on the defendant; or

(ii)not later than 14 days after the defendant first appears in court for the alleged offence; or

(b)for a trial on indictment—not later than 14 days after the indictment against the defendant is presented.

(5)A defendant who is served with a copy of a company verification under subsection (4) must give the prosecution a written notice stating whether the defendant intends to contest a following matter about the company’s incorporation or registration mentioned in the company verification—

(a)the fact of its incorporation or registration;

(b)the date of its incorporation or registration;

(c)the date on which it ceased being incorporated or registered.

(6)The defendant must give the notice by not later than—

(a)10 days before the day the trial of the proceedings to which the notice relates starts; or

(b)the end of a later period allowed by the court, if the court considers it just to extend the period in the particular circumstances.

(7)If, in a proceeding before it, a court considers the defendant or the defendant’s lawyer has unnecessarily caused the prosecution to prove the incorporation or registration of a company, the court may order the defendant to pay the prosecution’s costs of proving the incorporation or registration.

(8)For this section, a defendant is taken to be served with a copy of a company verification if the copy is served on the defendant’s lawyer.

s 55 sub 1993 No. 68 s 5

amd 1997 No. 9 s 33; 2001 No. 45 s 29 sch 3

55AProof of disaster situation under Disaster Management Act 2003

(1)Any of the following is evidence of the declaration of a disaster situation—

(a)a copy of a declaration (a relevant declaration) for the disaster situation made under the Disaster Management Act 2003, section 64(1) or 69;

(b)the gazette purporting to contain notice of the relevant declaration;

(c)for an oral declaration—a statement from the responsible person for the oral declaration that the oral declaration was made under the Disaster Management Act 2003.

(2)In this section—

disaster situation means a disaster situation within the meaning of the Disaster Management Act 2003.

oral declaration means a declaration of a disaster situation made orally under the Disaster Management Act 2003, section 65(5) or 70(5), that, at the time of the hearing, has not been recorded under the Disaster Management Act 2003, section 65(7) or 70(7).

responsible person, for an oral declaration, means the person who made the oral declaration under the Disaster Management Act 2003, section 65(5) or 70(5).

s 55A ins 2014 No. 39 s 53

56Proof of unallocated State land grants

Upon its production in any proceeding wherein it is sought to prove any grant from the Crown of land within the State a document that purports—

(a)to be a copy of the instrument of grant or of an entry of such instrument; and

(b)to be certified under the hand of the registrar of titles;

shall be evidence and, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, conclusive evidence of the matters contained therein.

s 56 amd 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1

57Proof of lease or licence

(1)This section applies to an instrument of lease or licence issued or continued in force and held under any of the following Acts—

•Housing Act 2003

•Land Act 1994

•Mineral Resources Act 1989.

(2)An instrument may be proved by the production of a document purporting to be a copy of the instrument certified by the chief executive of the issuing department.

(3)In this section—

issuing department, for an instrument of a lease or licence, means the department dealing with matters about the provisions of the Act under which the lease or licence was issued or continued in force and held.

s 57 amd 1990 No. 80 s 3 sch 1

sub 1993 No. 76 s 3 sch 1

amd 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1; 1999 No. 39 s 299 sch 1; 2003 No. 52 s 153 sch 2

58Proof of letters patent

(1)The chief executive (premiers) or the State archivist may certify a copy of any letters patent issued by the Crown in relation to the State, or in relation to any matter that concerns the State, to be a true copy of the letters patent.

(2)The chief executive (premiers) may delegate the power under subsection (1) to an appropriately qualified officer of that chief executive’s department.

(3)The State archivist may delegate the power under subsection (1) to an appropriately qualified officer of the State archives.

(4)The copy of the letters patent certified by the chief executive (premiers) or the State archivist is, on production in any proceeding in which it is sought to prove the letters patent, evidence of the matters contained in the copy.

(5)In this section—

chief executive (premiers) means the chief executive of the department dealing with matters under the Constitution of Queensland 2001.

State archives means the Queensland State Archives established under the Public Records Act 2023, section 42(2).

State archivist means the State Archivist under the Public Records Act 2023, section 42(1).

s 58 amd 1990 No. 80 s 3 sch 1; 1993 No. 76 s 3 sch 1; 2001 No. 80 s 94 sch 2

sub 2003 No. 77 s 74

amd 2017 No. 17 s 116; 2023 No. 33 s 107 sch 5

58AProof of document under Royal Sign Manual

Evidence of a document under the signature or royal hand of the Sovereign in relation to the State or in relation to any matter concerning the State (the Royal Sign Manual document) may be given by the production of a document purporting to be a copy of the Royal Sign Manual document certified by the chief executive of the department dealing with matters under the Constitution of Queensland 2001.

s 58A ins 2001 No. 80 s 94 sch 2

59Comparison of disputed writing

(1)Comparison of a disputed writing with any writing proved to the satisfaction of the judge to be genuine shall be permitted to be made by witnesses and such writings and the evidence of witnesses respecting the same may be submitted as evidence of the genuineness or otherwise of the writing in dispute.

(2)A court may compare a disputed writing with any writing that is genuine and act upon its own conclusions in relation thereto.

60Proof of instrument to validity of which attestation is not necessary

It shall not be necessary to prove by the attesting witness any instrument to the validity of which attestation is not requisite, and such instrument may be proved by admission or otherwise as if there had been no attesting witness thereto.

61Proof of instrument to validity of which attestation is necessary

(1)Any instrument to the validity of which attestation is requisite may, instead of being proved by an attesting witness, be proved in the manner in which it might be proved if no attesting witness were alive.

(2)Nothing in this section shall apply to the proof of wills or other testamentary documents.

62Presumption as to documents 20 years old

Where any document is proved or purports to be not less than 20 years old, there shall be made any presumption which immediately before the date of the passing of the Evidence Acts Amendment Act 1962 would have been made in the case of a document of like character proved or purporting to be not less than 30 years old.

63Wills, deeds etc. may be verified by declaration

(1)Any attesting witness to the execution of any will or codicil, deed, or instrument in writing, and any other competent person, may verify and prove the signing, sealing, publication, or delivery of any such will, codicil, deed or instrument in writing by declaration in writing made under the Oaths Act 1867.

(2)A party who intends to adduce in evidence as proof of the execution of a will, codicil, deed or instrument in writing a declaration made in accordance with subsection (1) shall give such notice of the party’s intention to do so as may be required by rules of court.

(3)The method of proof prescribed by this section shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any other method of proving the due execution of a will or codicil prescribed by rules of court.

64Evidentiary effect of probate etc.

(1)The probate of a will or letters of administration with a will annexed are evidence of the due execution of the will.

(2)The copy of a will annexed to a probate or to letters of administration is evidence of the contents of the will.

(3)The probate of a will is evidence of the death of the testator and, if the probate states the date of death of the testator, of the date of the testator’s death.

(4)Letters of administration of the estate of a deceased person are evidence of the death of the person and, if the letters of administration state the date of death of the person, of the date of the person’s death.

(5)In this section—

(a)a reference to probate shall be read as a reference to probate, and to an exemplification of probate, whether granted within or outside the State; and

(b)a reference to letters of administration shall be read as a reference to letters of administration, to an exemplification of letters of administration, whether granted within or outside the State and to an order to administer the estate of a deceased person granted to the public trustee.

65Maps, charts etc.

(1)Where in a proceeding there is a question as to the territorial limits or situation of an area or place, or the distance between 2 places, a court may admit in evidence—

(a)a published book, map, chart or document that appears to the court to be a reliable source of information in relation to the question; or

(b)a certificate purporting to be given by the chief executive (surveys), or the holder of another office that, in the court’s opinion, qualifies the person to express an opinion about the question.

(2)In any proceeding a map, chart or plan purporting to be issued or published by any department of the Government of the State or of the Commonwealth or by an officer thereof in discharge of the officer’s functions shall, upon its production, be sufficient evidence of the matters stated or delineated thereon until the contrary is proved.

s 65 amd 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1

66Astronomical phenomena

(1)Where in a proceeding there is a question as to the time or duration of any astronomical phenomenon that has occurred or shall occur in relation to a place, a court may admit in evidence a certificate about the question given by the chief executive (surveys).

(2)The certificate may include an explanation of the terms used therein, a statement of their recognised practical application, and the basis for calculating the time or duration of the astronomical phenomenon.

(3)In this section—

astronomical phenomenon includes the rising or setting of the sun or moon, the position of the sun or moon, the phase of the moon and the degree of twilight.

s 66 amd 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1

67Definitions for div 3

In this division—

overseas country means a country or part of a country outside the Commonwealth and includes any international organisation of which the Commonwealth or an overseas country is a member.

statute includes any instrument of a legislative nature made, granted or issued under a statute.

s 67 amd 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1

68Proof of certain Australian and overseas written laws etc.

Evidence of—

(a)a statute, proclamation or act of state of a State or Territory other than Queensland; or

(b)a statute, proclamation, treaty or act of state of an overseas country;

may be given by the production of—

(c)a copy proved to be an examined copy thereof; or

(d)a copy purporting to be sealed with the seal of that State, Territory or country; or

(e)a book or pamphlet purporting to be published by the authority of the government of that State, Territory or country or by the government or official printer of that State, Territory or country containing the statute, proclamation, treaty or act of state; or

(f)a book or publication that appears to the court to be a reliable source of information containing the statute, proclamation, treaty or act of state; or

(g)a book or pamphlet that is proved to the satisfaction of the court to be admissible in the courts in that State, Territory or country as evidence of the statutes, proclamations, treaties or acts of state of that State, Territory or country contained in that book or pamphlet.

69Proof of judicial proceedings of an overseas country

Evidence of—

(a)a judgment, decree, rule, conviction, acquittal, sentence or other order, process, act or decision of any court in an overseas country; or

(b)an affidavit, pleading, will, codicil, indictment or other legal document filed, deposited or presented in any such court;

may be given by the production of a copy thereof—

(c)proved to be an examined copy thereof; or

(d)purporting—

(i)to be sealed with the seal of such court; or

(ii)to be signed by a judge of such court with a statement in writing attached by the judge to the judge’s signature that such court has no seal and without proof of the judge’s judicial character or of the truth of such statement.

70Proof of certain documents admissible elsewhere in Australia

Any document which by a law at any time in force in a State or Territory other than Queensland is admissible in evidence for any purpose in a court of that State or Territory without proof of—

(a)the seal or stamp or signature authenticating the same; or

(b)the judicial or official character of the person appearing to have signed the same;

shall be admissible in evidence to the same extent and for the same purpose in all courts in Queensland without such proof.

71Royal proclamations, orders of the Privy Council etc.

(1)Evidence of any royal proclamation, order of Her Majesty’s Privy Council, order, regulation, dispatch, or any other instrument made or issued by Her Majesty or by Her Majesty’s Privy Council, or by or under the authority of any of Her Majesty’s Secretaries of State, or of any department of Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, may be given—

(a)by the production of a document purporting to be a copy of the London gazette or of the government gazette purporting to contain a reprint of such proclamation, order of the Privy Council, order, regulation, dispatch or other instrument; or

(b)by the production in the case of any such proclamation of a copy purporting to be printed by the government printer.

(2)In this section (but without affecting the generality of the expression when used elsewhere)—

Her Majesty includes any predecessors of Her Majesty.

72Proof of certain Australian and overseas public documents

Where a document of a State or Territory of the Commonwealth other than Queensland or of an overseas country is of such a public nature that it would if it were a Queensland document be admissible in evidence in Queensland on its mere production from proper custody, a copy of or extract from the document shall be admissible in evidence if—

(a)it is proved to be an examined copy or extract; or

(b)it purports to be certified as a true copy or extract under the hand of a person described in the certificate as the person to whose custody the original is entrusted.

73Proof of incorporation or registration of certain Australian and overseas companies

Evidence of the incorporation or registration of a company within the meaning of the Corporations Act that is taken to be registered in a State or Territory of the Commonwealth other than Queensland or in an overseas country may be given by the production of a certificate of the incorporation or registration of that company which purports to be signed or issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission or the proper officer or body in that country, and the date of incorporation or registration mentioned in such certificate shall be evidence of the date on which the company was incorporated or registered.

s 73 amd 2001 No. 45 s 29 sch 3

74Proof of birth, adoption, death or marriage

A document purporting to be either the original or a certified copy of a certificate, entry or record of a birth, adoption, death or marriage alleged to have taken place whether in Australia or elsewhere is evidence in a proceeding of the matters contained therein.

75Notice of intention to adduce telegraphic message in evidence

(1)In any proceeding (not being a criminal proceeding), any party may at any time after the commencement thereof give notice to any other party that the party proposes to adduce in evidence at the trial or hearing any telegraphic message that has been sent by telegraph from any place in the Commonwealth to any other place in the Commonwealth.

(1A)However—

(a)the time between the giving of such notice and the day on which such evidence shall be tendered shall not in any case be less than 2 days; and

(b)every such notice shall specify the names of the sender and receiver of the message, the subject matter thereof, and the date as nearly as may be.

(2)Any such notice may be served and the service thereof proved in the same manner as notices to produce may now be served and proved.

76Proof of message

Where a notice under section 75 has been given, the production of a telegraphic message described in the notice and purporting to have been sent by any person, together with evidence that the same was duly received from a telegraph office, shall be evidence that such message was sent by the person so purporting to be the sender thereof to the person to whom the same is addressed.

77Proof of sending a message

Where a notice under section 75 has been given, the production of a telegraphic message, or a copy thereof verified on oath, together with evidence that such message was sent to or delivered at a telegraph office and that the fees (if any) for the transmission thereof were duly paid shall be evidence that such message was duly delivered to the person named therein as the person to whom the same was to be transmitted.

78Definitions for div 5

In this division—

conviction does not include—

(a)a conviction that has been set aside or quashed; or

(b)where the person convicted of an offence has been granted a pardon in respect of that offence, such a conviction;

and the term convicted has a corresponding meaning.

court means any court of Queensland, of the Commonwealth or of any other State or Territory but does not include a court martial.

s 78 amd 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1

79Convictions as evidence in civil proceedings

(1)In this section—

civil proceeding does not include an action for defamation.

convicted means a finding of guilt for an offence, on a plea of guilty or otherwise, and whether or not a conviction was recorded.

(2)In any civil proceeding the fact that a person has been convicted by a court of an offence is admissible in evidence for the purpose of proving, where to do so is relevant to any issue in that proceeding, that the person committed that offence.

(3)In any civil proceeding in which by virtue of this section a person is proved to have been convicted by a court of an offence the person shall, unless the contrary is proved, be taken to have committed the acts and to have possessed the state of mind (if any) which at law constitute that offence.

(4)This section applies—

(a)whether or not a person was convicted upon a plea of guilty; and

(b)whether or not the person convicted is a party to the civil proceeding.

s 79 amd 2008 No. 59 s 49

80Convictions as evidence in actions for defamation

In an action for defamation in which the question whether a person did or did not commit a criminal offence is relevant to an issue arising in the action, proof that at the time when the issue falls to be determined that person stands convicted by a court of that offence is conclusive evidence that the person committed that offence.

81Evidence identifying the particulars of a conviction

Without prejudice to the reception of any other evidence for the purpose of identifying the particulars of a conviction—

(a)the contents of any document which is admissible as evidence of the conviction; and

(b)the contents of any document which is admissible as evidence of the complaint, information, indictment or charge on which the person in question was convicted;

shall be admissible for that purpose where by virtue of section 79 or 80 evidence of the conviction may be given.

82Operation of other laws not affected

Nothing in this division derogates from the operation of any other law under which a conviction or finding of fact in a criminal proceeding is, for the purposes of any proceeding, made evidence or conclusive evidence of any fact.

83Definitions for div 6

In this division—

book of account includes any document used in the ordinary course of any undertaking to record the financial transactions of the undertaking or to record anything acquired or otherwise dealt with by, produced in, held for or on behalf of, or taken or lost from the undertaking and any particulars relating to any such thing.

court means—

(a)in relation to any proceeding in the Supreme Court—the Supreme Court or a judge thereof; and

(b)in relation to any proceeding in the District Court—the District Court or a judge thereof; and

(c)in relation to any proceeding in a Magistrates Court or before justices—the Magistrates Court, a magistrate or a justice; and

(d)in relation to any other proceeding—the Supreme Court or a judge thereof.

s 83 def court amd 1999 No. 19 s 3 sch; 2003 No. 55 s 62

s 83 amd 1995 No. 58 s 4 sch 1

84Entries in book of account to be evidence

Subject to this division, in all proceedings—

(a)an entry in a book of account shall be evidence of the matters, transactions and accounts therein recorded; and

(b)a copy of an entry in a book of account shall be evidence of the entry and of the matters, transactions and accounts therein recorded.

85Proof that book is a book of account

(1)An entry or a copy of an entry in a book of account shall not be admissible in evidence under this division unless it is first proved that the book was at the time of the making of the entry 1 of the ordinary books of account of the undertaking to which it purports to relate and that the entry was made in the usual and ordinary course of that undertaking.

(2)Such proof may be given by a responsible person familiar with the books of account of the undertaking and may be given orally or by an affidavit sworn or by a declaration made before a commissioner or person authorised to take affidavits or statutory declarations.

86Verification of copy

(1)A copy of an entry in a book of account shall not be admissible in evidence under this division unless it is further proved that the copy has been examined with the original entry and is correct.

(2)Such proof may be given by some person who has examined the copy with the original entry and may be given either orally or by an affidavit sworn or by a declaration made before a commissioner or person authorised to take affidavits or statutory declarations.

87Matters which may be proved under this division ordinarily to be so proved

A person engaged in any undertaking or an employee of that person shall not in any proceeding to which the person is not a party be compellable to produce any book of account the contents of which can be proved under this division or to appear as a witness to prove the matters, transactions and accounts therein recorded unless by order of a court.

88Court may order books of account or copies to be made available

(1)On the application of any party to a proceeding, a court may order that such party be at liberty to inspect and take copies of or extracts from any entries in a book of account of any undertaking for any of the purposes of such proceeding.

(2)An order under this section may be made either with or without summoning the person engaged in the undertaking or any other party and shall be served on the person engaged in the undertaking 3 clear days before the same is to be obeyed unless the court otherwise directs.

(3)An order under this section may direct that the person engaged in the undertaking shall, on payment of such fee as is specified in the order, prepare and deliver to the party who obtained that order a duly verified copy of such entries as may be required for evidence in the proceeding.

(4)For the purposes of subsection (2), Saturday, Sunday, and any day which is a public holiday throughout the State or in that part of the State in which the order is to be obeyed shall be excluded from the computation of time.

(5)Where a person engaged in any undertaking is a party to a proceeding, the other party or parties thereto shall be at liberty to inspect and make copies of or extracts from the original entries and the accounts of which such entries form a part and the documents in respect of which such entries were made as though this division had not been enacted.

89Proof that a person has no account

(1)Where it is sought to prove for the purposes of a proceeding that a person did not at a given time have an account with an undertaking or with any branch thereof, evidence of the fact may be given by a responsible person familiar with the books of account of the undertaking or, as the case may be, of the branch thereof.

(2)Such evidence may be given by such person orally or by an affidavit sworn or by a declaration made before a commissioner or person authorised to take affidavits or statutory declarations.

90Costs

(1)The costs of any application to a court under or for the purposes of this division and the costs of anything done or to be done under an order of a court made under or for the purposes of this division shall be in the discretion of the court, who may order the same or any part thereof to be paid to any party by the person engaged in the undertaking concerned where the same have been occasioned by any default or delay on the part of that person.

(2)Any such order against a person engaged in an undertaking may be enforced as if the person were a party to the proceeding.

91Application of ss 84–86 and 89

Sections 84 to 86 and 89 shall apply to and in relation to books of account and persons engaged in undertakings in any State or Territory.

pt 6 hdg amd 2000 No. 43 s 48

92Admissibility of documentary evidence as to facts in issue

(1)In any proceeding (not being a criminal proceeding) where direct oral evidence of a fact would be admissible, any statement contained in a document and tending to establish that fact shall, subject to this part, be admissible as evidence of that fact if—

(a)the maker of the statement had personal knowledge of the matters dealt with by the statement, and is called as a witness in the proceeding; or

(b)the document is or forms part of a record relating to any undertaking and made in the course of that undertaking from information supplied (whether directly or indirectly) by persons who had, or may reasonably be supposed to have had, personal knowledge of the matters dealt with in the information they supplied, and the person who supplied the information recorded in the statement in question is called as a witness in the proceeding.

(2)The condition in subsection (1) that the maker of the statement or the person who supplied the information, as the case may be, be called as a witness need not be satisfied where—

(a)the maker or supplier is dead, or unfit by reason of bodily or mental condition to attend as a witness; or

(b)the maker or supplier is out of the State and it is not reasonably practicable to secure the attendance of the maker or supplier; or

(c)the maker or supplier can not with reasonable diligence be found or identified; or

(d)it can not reasonably be supposed (having regard to the time which has elapsed since the maker or supplier made the statement, or supplied the information, and to all the circumstances) that the maker or supplier would have any recollection of the matters dealt with by the statement the maker made or in the information the supplier supplied; or

(e)no party to the proceeding who would have the right to cross-examine the maker or supplier requires the maker or supplier being called as a witness; or

(f)at any stage of the proceeding it appears to the court that, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, undue delay or expense would be caused by calling the maker or supplier as a witness.

(3)The court may act on hearsay evidence for the purpose of deciding any of the matters mentioned in subsection (2)(a), (b), (c), (d) or (f).

(4)For the purposes of this part, a statement contained in a document is made by a person if—

(a)it was written, made, dictated or otherwise produced by the person; or

(b)it was recorded with the person’s knowledge; or

(c)it was recorded in the course of and ancillary to a proceeding; or

(d)it was recognised by the person as the person’s statement by signing, initialling or otherwise in writing.

s 92 amd 2000 No. 58 s 2 sch

93Admissibility of documentary evidence as to facts in issue in criminal proceedings

(1)In any criminal proceeding where direct oral evidence of a fact would be admissible, any statement contained in a document and tending to establish that fact shall, subject to this part, be admissible as evidence of that fact if—

(a)the document is or forms part of a record relating to any trade or business and made in the course of that trade or business from information supplied (whether directly or indirectly) by persons who had, or may reasonably be supposed to have had, personal knowledge of the matters dealt with in the information they supplied; and

(b)the person who supplied the information recorded in the statement in question—

(i)is dead, or unfit by reason of the person’s bodily or mental condition to attend as a witness; or

(ii)is out of the State and it is not reasonably practicable to secure the person’s attendance; or

(iii)can not with reasonable diligence be found or identified; or

(iv)can not reasonably be supposed (having regard to the time which has lapsed since the person supplied the information and to all the circumstances) to have any recollection of the matters dealt with in the information the person supplied.

(2)In this section—

business includes any public transport, public utility or similar undertaking carried on in Queensland or elsewhere by the Crown (in right of the State of Queensland or any other right) or a statutory body.