52Legal and financial assistance for witness

#### 52 Legal and financial assistance for witness 52 Legal and financial assistance for witness > > (1) A witness who is appearing or about to appear before the Commission may apply to the Attorney General for legal or financial assistance. > > > (2) The Attorney General may approve the provision of legal or financial assistance to the applicant if of the opinion that this is appropriate, having regard to any one or more of the following— > > > > > (a) the prospect of hardship to the witness if assistance is declined, > > > > > (b) the significance of the evidence that the witness is giving or appears likely to give, > > > > > (c) any other matter relating to the public interest. > > > (3) On giving the approval, the Attorney General may authorise the provision to the witness of legal or financial assistance determined by the Attorney General in respect of the witness’s appearance before the Commission. The assistance is to be provided out of money provided by Parliament for the purpose. > > > (4) The assistance may be provided unconditionally or subject to conditions determined by the Attorney General. > > > (5) The Attorney General may delegate one or more of his or her functions under this section to the Secretary, a Deputy Secretary or the General Counsel of the Department of Communities and Justice. > > **s 52:** Subst 1991 No 54, Sch 1 (4). Am 1997 No 60, Sch 4 \[4\]; 2019 No 14, Sch 1.11.