Author

Alan Weiss

25th March, 2020

Alan Weiss developed aussiedivorce.com.au after he experienced himself how devastating divorce proceedings can be. I witnessed firsthand my own future security, and that of my familys, being destroyed by acrimonious and costly divorce litigation. I created aussiedivorce.com.au to help people avoid an experience like this and lose thousands of dollars. Instead the aussiedivorce.com.au system will assist them in getting on with their lives.

Privilege in respect of self-incrimination in other proceedings

The general rule is that a person cannot be compelled to provide evidence that would subject him to criminal or civil liability either under Australian or foreign law. This is called privilege against self-incrimination. Sec 128 of the Evidence Act 1995 provides the exception.

According to this law a person may be required by the court to testify or provide evidence if it is satisfied that:

  • 1. The evidence does not tend to incriminate the person providing it, and
  • 2. The interests of justice require that the evidence be provided.

Whether the person willingly or unwillingly gives such evidence, the court will issue a certificate which prevents the future use of the evidence against the person. The court will also issue such certificate if it later determines that there were reasonable grounds for objecting to the production of the evidence.

This certificate serves as protection for the person who provided the evidence. Therefore the person can use the certificate against any proceeding before a New South Wales court, person or body authorized by the State or by consent of the parties to receive and examine evidence.

There are some instances, however, when the certificate has no use. It cannot be used in a criminal proceeding when the issue is the genuineness or falsity of the evidence provided. It also cannot be used in a retrial of the same defendant or a trial for arising for an offence arising from the same facts.

A body corporate does not enjoy the privilege against self-incrimination, not being a person but a juridical entity.

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Author

Alan Weiss

25th March, 2020

Alan Weiss developed aussiedivorce.com.au after he experienced himself how devastating divorce proceedings can be. I witnessed firsthand my own future security, and that of my familys, being destroyed by acrimonious and costly divorce litigation. I created aussiedivorce.com.au to help people avoid an experience like this and lose thousands of dollars. Instead the aussiedivorce.com.au system will assist them in getting on with their lives.