QLDIn ForceAct
Evidence Act 1977
sec.21AZPDirections for holding directions hearings
Start here
Get a plain-English read of sec.21AZP
Turn the raw legal text into a practical explanation grounded in Evidence Act 1977.
### sec.21AZP Directions for holding directions hearings
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.
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) .
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.
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—
the intermediary prepare a written report for the court that states—
the communication needs of the witness; and
the intermediary’s recommendations about the most effective way to communicate with the witness; or
a stated person attend the hearing.
The intermediary must comply with a direction given under subsection (4) (a) .
s 21AZP ins 2020 No. 32 s 44
(sec.21AZP-ssec.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.
(sec.21AZP-ssec.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) .
(sec.21AZP-ssec.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.
(sec.21AZP-ssec.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— the intermediary prepare a written report for the court that states— the communication needs of the witness; and the intermediary’s recommendations about the most effective way to communicate with the witness; or a stated person attend the hearing.
(sec.21AZP-ssec.5) The intermediary must comply with a direction given under subsection (4) (a) .
- (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
- (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.
- (i) the communication needs of the witness; and
- (ii) the intermediary’s recommendations about the most effective way to communicate with the witness; or