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FAMILY VIOLENCE PROTECTION ACT 2008 - SECT 70

Special rules for cross-examination of protected witnesses

S. 70(1) amended by No. 42/2014 s. 118.

    (1)     The following persons are protected witnesses for the purposes of a proceeding under this Act or a litigation restraint order proceeding—

        (a)     the affected family member or the protected person;

        (b)     a child;

        (c)     any family member of a party to the proceeding;

        (d)     any person declared under subsection (2) to be a protected witness for the proceeding.

    (2)     The court may at any time declare a person to be a protected witness if the court is satisfied the person—

        (a)     has a cognitive impairment; or

        (b)     otherwise needs the protection of the court.

    (3)     A protected witness must not be personally cross‑examined by the respondent unless—

        (a)     the protected witness is an adult; and

        (b)     the protected witness consents to being cross-examined by the respondent or, if the protected witness has a guardian, the protected witness' guardian has consented to the cross-examination; and

        (c)     if the protected witness has a cognitive impairment, the court is satisfied the protected witness understands the nature and consequences of giving consent and would be competent to give evidence; and

        (d)     the court decides that it would not have a harmful impact on the protected witness for the protected witness to be cross-examined by the respondent.

    (4)     If a respondent who is prohibited from
cross-examining a protected witness under subsection (3) is not legally represented, the court must—

        (a)     inform the respondent that the respondent is not permitted personally to cross-examine a protected witness; and

        (b)     ask the respondent whether the respondent has sought to obtain legal representation for the cross-examination of a protected witness; and

        (c)     if satisfied the respondent has not had a reasonable opportunity to obtain legal representation, grant an adjournment on its own initiative or if requested by the respondent.



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