Victorian Numbered Acts

JUSTICE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS AND OTHER MATTERS) ACT 2021 (NO. 11 OF 2021) - SECT 16

After section 42R of the Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1958 insert —

        " 42RA     Audio link appearance by accused in certain circumstances

    (1)     An accused referred to in section 42JA(1) or (2A) or 42K(1) who, in accordance with a relevant provision of that section is permitted to appear or be brought before the Magistrates' Court or another court (as the case requires) in a proceeding by audio visual link may appear by audio link instead if the relevant court makes a direction under subsection (3).

    (2)     If a direction is made under one of the following provisions for an accused to appear in a proceeding by audio visual link, the accused may appear by audio link instead if the court makes a direction under subsection (3)—

        (a)     section 42M(1) or (7);

        (b)     section 42MA;

        (c)     section 42P.

    (3)     A court may make a direction for the purposes of subsection (1) or (2) if—

        (a)     the accused is scheduled to appear by audio visual link; and

        (b)     the audio visual link fails or is otherwise unable to proceed; and

        (c)     the court needs to make orders or directions in relation to adjourning the proceeding to a time when—

              (i)     an audio visual link can proceed; or

              (ii)     the accused can be brought physically before the court; and

        (d)     the court is satisfied that the technical requirements specified in section 42RB are met or can be reasonably met.

    (4)     In a proceeding by audio link in accordance with a direction made under subsection (3), a court may make any orders it considers necessary to facilitate the adjournment or efficient administration of the proceeding.

        42RB     Technical requirements for audio link appearance by accused

    (1)     The technical requirements for an audio link by which an accused appears before a court are—

        (a)     all appropriate persons at the court point and a remote point have access to equipment that enables them to hear—

              (i)     the accused; and

              (ii)     other appropriate persons at the court point, the remote point and any other remote point; and

        (b)         the accused and any legal practitioner representing the accused in the proceeding have access to equipment that, in accordance with any rules of court, enables private communication to take place, or documents to be transmitted, between the accused and the legal practitioner—

              (i)     during a hearing; or

              (ii)     during any adjournment of a hearing; or

              (iii)     on the day of a hearing, shortly before or after the hearing; and

        (c)     any requirements prescribed by rules of court for or with respect to the following—

              (i)     the form of audio link;

              (ii)     the equipment, or class of equipment, used to establish the link;

              (iii)     the standard or speed of transmission;

              (iv)     the quality of the communication;

              (v)     any other matter relating to the link; and

        (d)     any requirements imposed by the presiding judge or magistrate.

    (2)     Requirements imposed under subsection (1)(d) must not be inconsistent with any provision of this Part or any rules of court.".