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Disputes Tribunal Act 1988

Miscellaneous provisions

56: Contempt of Tribunal

You could also call this:

"Disrespecting the Tribunal: What You Can't Do"

Illustration for Disputes Tribunal Act 1988

You can commit an offence if you wilfully insult or obstruct a Referee, witness, or officer of the Tribunal. You can also commit an offence if you insult or obstruct someone at a Tribunal sitting. You must not interrupt or misbehave at a Tribunal sitting. You must obey the Tribunal's orders, except for some specific orders like those mentioned in section 18(3), section 46(2), or section 47(3)(b). If you do not obey, you can be fined up to $1,000. A Referee can order you to leave a Tribunal sitting if you behave badly. A Referee can exclude you from a sitting if your behaviour is an offence. A Registrar, officer, or constable can enforce this exclusion. They can take steps to make you leave the sitting.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM134109.

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Part 5Miscellaneous provisions

56Contempt of Tribunal

  1. Every person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 who—

  2. wilfully insults or obstructs a Referee, or any witness or any officer of the Tribunal during a sitting of the Tribunal or while a Referee, a witness, or an officer is going to, or returning from, a sitting of the Tribunal; or
    1. wilfully insults or obstructs any person in attendance at a sitting of the Tribunal; or
      1. wilfully interrupts, or otherwise misbehaves at, a sitting of the Tribunal; or
        1. wilfully and without lawful excuse disobeys any order or direction of the Tribunal (other than an order mentioned in section 18(3) or section 18(8) or section 46(2) or section 47(3)(b)) in the course of the hearing of any proceedings.

          1. A Referee may order the exclusion from a sitting of the Tribunal of any person whose behaviour, in the opinion of the Referee, constitutes an offence against subsection (1), whether or not such person is charged with the offence; and any Registrar, or officer under a Registrar's control, or constable may take such steps as are reasonably necessary to enforce such exclusion.

          Notes
          • Section 56(1): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).
          • Section 56(1)(a): amended, on , by section 59 of the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 (2018 No 51).
          • Section 56(1)(a): amended, on , by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).
          • Section 56(1)(b): amended, on , by section 59 of the Tribunals Powers and Procedures Legislation Act 2018 (2018 No 51).
          • Section 56(1)(b): amended, on , by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).
          • Section 56(1)(c): amended, on , by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).
          • Section 56(1)(d): amended, on , by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).
          • Section 56(2): amended, on , by section 261 of the District Court Act 2016 (2016 No 49).