Can witnesses be compelled to attend and give evidence?
Yes. Section 21 of the Inquiries Act 2005 enables the chairman to require any person to attend to give evidence, or for the purpose of producing relevant documents or other evidence. It also enables the chairman to require the provision of written statements of evidence and of relevant documents or other evidence. In terms of section 35 of the Act failure, without reasonable cause, to comply with such a request is an offence. These provisions are subject to section 22, which provides that a person may not be required to give, produce or provide any evidence or document to the Inquiry if such a requirement could not be made by a court in civil proceedings.
