36Legal costs of witnesses

36 Legal costs of witnesses

(1)  A Commission may order that the whole or any part of the legal costs of a person who appears before it are to be paid by the Crown.

(2)  In determining whether to make an order under subsection (1) , the Commission may have regard to the following matters:

(a) whether the person has shown that he or she had a valid reason to seek legal representation;

(b) whether in all the circumstances, including the events which led to the Governor directing the making of the Commission's inquiry, it would be a hardship or injustice for the person to bear the costs;

(c) the nature and possible effect of any allegations made about the person;

(d) whether the person has been found to have been seriously at fault, to the extent that criminal or other charges have been recommended or instituted;

(e) whether a certificate has been issued to the person by the Commission under section 23 ;

(f) any other relevant matter.

(3)  Legal costs ordered to be paid under subsection (1) are to be taxed by a taxing officer of the Supreme Court.