21Disclosure of summons or notice may be prohibited

21 Disclosure of summons or notice may be prohibited

(1)  The examiner issuing a summons under section 19 or a notice under section 20 must, or may, as provided in subsection (2) , include in it a notation to the effect that disclosure of information about the summons or notice, or any official matter connected with it, is prohibited except in the circumstances, if any, specified in the notation.

(2)  A notation must not be included in the summons or notice except as follows:

(a) the examiner must include the notation if satisfied that failure to do so would reasonably be expected to prejudice –

(i) the safety or reputation of a person; or

(ii) the fair trial of a person who has been or may be charged with an offence; or

(iii) the effectiveness of an operation or investigation;

(b) the examiner may include the notation if satisfied that failure to do so might prejudice –

(i) the safety or reputation of a person; or

(ii) the fair trial of a person who has been or may be charged with an offence; or

(iii) the effectiveness of an operation or investigation;

(c) the examiner may include the notation if satisfied that failure to do so might otherwise be contrary to the public interest.

(3)  If a notation is included in the summons or notice, it must be accompanied by a written statement setting out the rights and obligations conferred or imposed by section 22 on the person who was served with, or otherwise given, the summons or notice.

(4)  If, after the ACC has concluded the operation or investigation concerned –

(a) no evidence of an offence has been obtained as described in section 34(1) ; or

(b) evidence of an offence or offences has been assembled and given as required by section 34(1) and the CEO has been advised that no person will be prosecuted; or