Singapore legislation
Clause 43
Clause 43
Taking of evidence in respect of criminal matters pending in courts of foreign States
(1)
The Minister may, by notice in writing, authorise a Magistrate to take evidence for the purposes of a criminal matter pending in a court or tribunal of a foreign State other than a matter relating to an offence that is, by its nature or by reason of the circumstances in which it is alleged to have been committed, an offence of a political character.
(2)
Upon receipt of the notice, the Magistrate shall —
take the evidence of each witness appearing before him to give evidence in relation to the matter in the like manner as if the witness were giving evidence on a charge against a person for an offence against the law in force in Singapore;
cause the evidence to be reduced to writing and certify at the end of that writing that the evidence was taken by him; and
cause the writing so certified to be sent to the Minister.
(3)
The evidence of such a witness may be taken in the presence or absence of the person charged with the offence against the law of, or of the part of, the foreign State and the certificate by the Magistrate that the evidence was taken by him shall state whether the person so charged was present or absent when the evidence was taken.
(4)
The laws for the time being in force with respect to the compelling of persons to attend before a Magistrate, and to give evidence, answer questions and produce documents, upon the hearing of a charge against a person for an offence against the law of Singapore shall apply, so far as they are capable of application, with respect to the compelling of persons to attend before a Magistrate, and to give evidence, answer questions and produce documents, for the purposes of this section.