EVIDENCE ACT 1906 - SECT 19G

EVIDENCE ACT 1906 - SECT 19G

19G .         Public interest test

        (1)         In determining the application for leave, the court may grant leave to disclose, or require the disclosure of, the protected communication if, and only if, the court determines that it is in the public interest to do so.

        (2)         For the purposes of subsection (1) the court is to have regard to the following —

            (a)         the extent to which disclosing, or requiring the disclosure of, the protected communication is necessary to allow the applicant for leave to make a full defence;

            (b)         whether the evidence of the protected communication or the contents of the document recording the protected communication will have substantial probative value;

            (c)         the likelihood that disclosing, or requiring the disclosure of, the protected communication will affect the outcome of the proceedings;

            (d)         the public interest in ensuring that complainants receive effective counselling, and the extent to which failure to preserve the confidentiality of protected communications may dissuade complainants from seeking counselling or diminish the effectiveness of counselling;

            (e)         the public interest in ensuring that adequate records are kept of counselling communications;

            (f)         the likelihood that disclosing, or requiring the disclosure of, the protected communication will cause harm to the complainant, and the nature and extent of that harm;

            (g)         any other matter that the court considers relevant.

        [Section 19G inserted: No. 46 of 2004 s. 10.]