77Legal and financial assistance
for witness
(1)
A witness who is appearing or is about to appear
or who has appeared at an examination may apply to the Attorney General for
legal or financial assistance.
(2)
The Attorney General may approve the provision of
legal or financial assistance to the applicant if of the opinion that this is
appropriate, having regard to any one or more of the following—
(a)
the prospect of hardship to the witness if
assistance is declined,
(b)
the significance of the evidence that the witness
is giving, appears likely to give or has given,
(c)
any other matter relating to the public
interest.
(3)
On giving the approval, the Attorney General may
authorise the provision to the witness of legal or financial assistance
determined by the Attorney General in respect of the witness’s
appearance at the examination. The assistance is to be provided out of money
provided by Parliament for the purpose.
(4)
The assistance may be provided unconditionally or
subject to conditions determined by the Attorney
General.
(5)
The Attorney General may delegate one or more of
his or her functions under this section to the Secretary, a Deputy Secretary
or the General Counsel of the Department of Justice.
s 77: Am 2019 No 14,
Sch 1.13.