sec.21AABDirections hearings

### sec.21AAB Directions hearings This section applies to a relevant proceeding. The court may, on its own initiative or on the application of a party to the proceeding, direct that— a directions hearing be held, about evidence to be given by a special witness; and further directions hearings be held at any later stage in the proceeding. At a directions hearing, the court may— consider the communication needs of a special witness in a relevant proceeding and the most effective way to communicate with the witness; and give any directions about the giving of evidence by the witness that the court considers appropriate for the fair and efficient conduct of the proceeding. Without limiting subsection (3) , a direction may be given about any of the following matters— the manner of questioning the witness; the duration of questioning the witness; the questions that may, or may not, be put to the witness; if there is more than 1 defendant, the allocation among the defendants of the topics about which the witness may be questioned; the use of models, plans, body maps or similar aids to— help communicate a question to be put to the witness; or help the witness communicate an answer to a question put to the witness. Subsections (3) and (4) do not limit— section 21A (2) or (3) ; or the Criminal Code , section 590AA ; or the Justices Act 1886 , section 83A . This section does not apply to the extent division 4C , subdivision 3 applies. s 21AAB ins 2024 No. 48 s 20 (sec.21AAB-ssec.1) This section applies to a relevant proceeding. (sec.21AAB-ssec.2) The court may, on its own initiative or on the application of a party to the proceeding, direct that— a directions hearing be held, about evidence to be given by a special witness; and further directions hearings be held at any later stage in the proceeding. (sec.21AAB-ssec.3) At a directions hearing, the court may— consider the communication needs of a special witness in a relevant proceeding and the most effective way to communicate with the witness; and give any directions about the giving of evidence by the witness that the court considers appropriate for the fair and efficient conduct of the proceeding. (sec.21AAB-ssec.4) Without limiting subsection (3) , a direction may be given about any of the following matters— the manner of questioning the witness; the duration of questioning the witness; the questions that may, or may not, be put to the witness; if there is more than 1 defendant, the allocation among the defendants of the topics about which the witness may be questioned; the use of models, plans, body maps or similar aids to— help communicate a question to be put to the witness; or help the witness communicate an answer to a question put to the witness. (sec.21AAB-ssec.5) Subsections (3) and (4) do not limit— section 21A (2) or (3) ; or the Criminal Code , section 590AA ; or the Justices Act 1886 , section 83A . (sec.21AAB-ssec.6) This section does not apply to the extent division 4C , subdivision 3 applies. - (a) a directions hearing be held, about evidence to be given by a special witness; and - (b) further directions hearings be held at any later stage in the proceeding. - (a) consider the communication needs of a special witness in a relevant proceeding and the most effective way to communicate with the witness; and - (b) give any directions about the giving of evidence by the witness that the court considers appropriate for the fair and efficient conduct of the proceeding. - (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. - (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. - (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. - (a) section 21A (2) or (3) ; or - (b) the Criminal Code , section 590AA ; or - (c) the Justices Act 1886 , section 83A .