Part 1Preliminary provisions
3Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to reform and modernise the law relating to inquiries, by—
- providing for the establishment of both public and government inquiries to inquire into matters of public importance; and
- recognising and providing for Royal commissions established under the Royal prerogative; and
- enabling those inquiries to be carried out effectively, efficiently, and fairly.
The Act therefore sets out, in relation to any inquiry to which this Act applies,—
- how an inquiry is set up and its members are to be appointed; and
- the powers, duties, and privileges of an inquiry and the immunities that apply to the inquiry and its members; and
- the protection available for witnesses and counsel appearing before an inquiry; and
- the principles governing the procedure of an inquiry, including those relating to evidential matters; and
- provision for recourse to the court by, or in relation to, an inquiry; and
- sanctions that may be applied by or on behalf of an inquiry.
The Act also makes provision for—
- the repeal of sections 2 and 15 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1908, which provide, respectively, for the appointment of a commission of inquiry and the extension of that Act to commissions appointed under other Acts or under the Letters Patent; and
- the continuing application of the remaining provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1908 in specified circumstances.