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FEDERAL CIRCUIT AND FAMILY COURT OF AUSTRALIA ACT 2021 (NO. 12, 2021) - SECT 200

Offences by witness

             (1)  A person commits an offence if:

                     (a)  the person has been duly served with a subpoena or summons to appear as a witness before the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2); and

                     (b)  the person:

                              (i)  fails to attend as required by the subpoena or summons; or

                             (ii)  fails to appear and report from day to day unless excused, or released from further attendance, by the Court.

Penalty:  Imprisonment for 6 months.

             (2)  A person commits an offence if the person, while appearing as a witness before the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2):

                     (a)  refuses or fails to be sworn or to make an affirmation; or

                     (b)  refuses or fails to answer a question that the person is required by the Court to answer; or

                     (c)  refuses or fails to produce a document that the person is required by the Court or by a subpoena or summons issued from the Court to produce.

Penalty:  Imprisonment for 6 months.

             (3)  This section does not limit the power of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) to punish persons for contempt of the Court, but a person must not be punished under this section and for contempt of the Court in respect of the same act or omission.

Note:          See also Division 13A of Part VII, and Parts XIII and XIIIA, of the Family Law Act 1975 in relation to family law or child support proceedings.

             (4)  Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code applies to all offences against this section.

Note:          Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility.



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