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Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1958
42RTechnical requirements for audio visual appearance by accused
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42R Technical requirements for audio visual appearance by accused
(1) The technical requirements for an audio visual link by which an accused appears before a court are—
(a) all appropriate persons at the court point and a remote point have access to equipment that enables them to see and hear—
(i) the accused—
(A) appearing before the court; or
(B) entering a plea to a charge; or
(C) giving evidence; or
(D) making a submission; and
(b) the accused and any legal practitioner representing the accused in the proceeding have access to equipment that, in accordance with any rules of court, enables private communication to take place, and documents to be transmitted, between the accused and the legal practitioner—
(i) during a hearing; or
(ii) during any adjournment of a hearing; or
(iii) on the day of a hearing, shortly before or after the hearing; and
(c) any requirements prescribed by rules of court for or with respect to the following—
(i) the form of audio visual link;
(iii) the layout of cameras;
(iv) the standard or speed of transmission;
(v) the quality of the communication;
(vi) any other matter relating to the link; and
(d) any requirements imposed by the presiding judge or magistrate.
(2) Requirements imposed under subsection (1)(d) must not be inconsistent with any provision of this Part or any rules of court.
S. 42RA inserted by No. 11/2021 s. 16.
42RA Audio link appearance by accused in certain circumstances
S. 42RA(1) amended by No. 6246/1958 s. 42YA(b) (as amended by No. 11/2022 s. 8(2)).
(1) An accused referred to in section 42JA(1) or 42K(1) who, in accordance with a relevant provision of that section is permitted to appear or be brought before the Magistrates' Court or another court (as the case requires) in a proceeding by audio visual link may appear by audio link instead if the relevant court makes a direction under subsection (3).
(2) If a direction is made under one of the following provisions for an accused to appear in a proceeding by audio visual link, the accused may appear by audio link instead if the court makes a direction under subsection (3)—
(a) section 42M(1) or (7);
(b) section 42MA;
(c) section 42P.
(3) A court may make a direction for the purposes of subsection (1) or (2) if—
(a) the accused is scheduled to appear by audio visual link; and
(b) the audio visual link fails or is otherwise unable to proceed; and
(c) the court needs to make orders or directions in relation to adjourning the proceeding to a time when—
(i) an audio visual link can proceed; or
(ii) the accused can be brought physically before the court; and
(d) the court is satisfied that the technical requirements specified in section 42RB are met or can be reasonably met.
(4) In a proceeding by audio link in accordance with a direction made under subsection (3), a court may make any orders it considers necessary to facilitate the adjournment or efficient administration of the proceeding.
S. 42RB inserted by No. 11/2021 s. 16.
42RB Technical requirements for audio link appearance by accused
(1) The technical requirements for an audio link by which an accused appears before a court are—
(a) all appropriate persons at the court point and a remote point have access to equipment that enables them to hear—
(i) the accused; and
(b) the accused and any legal practitioner representing the accused in the proceeding have access to equipment that, in accordance with any rules of court, enables private communication to take place, or documents to be transmitted, between the accused and the legal practitioner—
(i) during a hearing; or
(ii) during any adjournment of a hearing; or
(iii) on the day of a hearing, shortly before or after the hearing; and
(c) any requirements prescribed by rules of court for or with respect to the following—
(i) the form of audio link;
(iii) the standard or speed of transmission;
(iv) the quality of the communication;
(v) any other matter relating to the link; and
(d) any requirements imposed by the presiding judge or magistrate.
(2) Requirements imposed under subsection (1)(d) must not be inconsistent with any provision of this Part or any rules of court.
S. 42S inserted by No. 4/1997
s. 3, amended by No. 68/2009 s. 97(Sch. item 54.44), substituted by No. 11/2021 s. 17.