DEFAMATION ACT 1974 - SECT 56 Criminating answer etc
This legislation has been repealed.
DEFAMATION ACT 1974 - SECT 56
Criminating answer etc56 Criminating answer etc
(1) Where, in civil proceedings for or in respect of the publication of defamatory matter, a question is put to any person or any person is ordered to discover or produce any document or thing, the person is not excused from answering that question, or from discovering or producing that document or thing, by reason that to do so may criminate the person or the person's spouse of an offence under section 50 in respect of the publication of that matter.
(2) The answer made by a person to any question, or the discovery or production by a person of any document or thing pursuant to an order, in civil proceedings for or in respect of the publication of defamatory matter, is not admissible in evidence on a prosecution of the person or the person's spouse for an offence under section 50 in respect of the publication of that matter.
(3) In this section:
"spouse" of a person, in relation to an answer, discovery or production, includes a person with whom the person has a de facto relationship within the meaning of the Property (Relationships) Act 1984 at the time of the answer, discovery or production.