(1) The author of an assessment report ordered under section 53 may be required to attend to give evidence at the hearing of the proceeding by a notice given in accordance with subsection (2) by—
(a) the person in respect of whom the report has been prepared; or
(b) with the leave of the court, a party to the proceeding; or
(c) the Children's Court.
(2) A notice under subsection (1) must be—
(a) in writing; and
S. 59(2)(b) amended by No. 52/2013 s. 73(1).
(b) filed in the proper venue of the court as soon as possible and, if practicable, not later than 2 working days before the hearing.
S. 59(3) amended by No. 52/2013 s. 73(2).
(3) On the filing of a notice under subsection (1), the registrar must immediately arrange for the author of the report to be notified that his or her attendance is required on the return date.
(4) A person is guilty of contempt of court if, being the author of a report who has been required to attend the Children's Court under subsection (1), he or she fails, without sufficient excuse, to attend as required.
(5) The author of a report who has been required under subsection (1) by the person or a party to attend at the hearing of a proceeding—
(a) must, if required by the person or party (as the case requires), be called as a witness; and
(b) if called as a witness, may be cross-examined on the contents of the report by the person or a party, whether or not that person required the author of the report to attend.