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Power with respect to taking of evidence, etc., at inquest
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24. The Principal Act is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 38:
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“38. (1) If a coroner considers it necessary for the purposes of the proper conduct of an inquest, the coroner may—
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(a) direct the taking of an oath or affirmation by any witness,
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(b) direct a witness to answer questions,
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(c) direct the production by any person of any document, article, substance or thing in his or her possession or under his or her power or control,
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(d) inspect, copy and keep for such period as the coroner considers necessary any document, article, substance or thing produced at the inquest, or
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(e) give any other direction that the coroner considers necessary.
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(2) Where a person fails or refuses without reasonable excuse to comply with a direction under subsection (1), the High Court may on application to it in that behalf by a coroner—
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(a) order the person to comply with the direction, and
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(b) make such other order, if any, as it considers necessary and just to enable the direction to have full effect.
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(3) A witness at an inquest shall be entitled to the same immunities and privileges as if he or she were a witness before the High Court.
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(4) Any person who gives evidence to an inquest knowing it to be false or misleading shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both.”.
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