43Witness not answering

43 Witness not answering

If on the appearance of a person required as a witness before justices, either voluntarily or in obedience to a summons, or upon being brought before them by virtue of a warrant, that person –

(a) refuses to be examined upon oath concerning the matters;

(b) refuses to take an oath; or

(c) having taken an oath refuses to answer such questions concerning the matter as are then put to him –

without offering any sufficient excuse for his refusal, any justice then present and having there jurisdiction may by warrant commit the person so refusing to a gaol, there to remain and be imprisoned for 7 days, unless in the meantime he consents to be examined and to answer concerning the matter.