10A. Assessors to assist General Division

In any proceedings before the General Division, the Court may, if it thinks fit on the application of any party, or on its own motion, summon to its assistance, in such manner as may be prescribed by Rules of Court or Family Justice Rules, one or more persons of skill and experience in the matter to which the proceedings relate who may be willing to sit with the Court and act as assessors.

Subject to subsection (3), the remuneration of assessors for sitting under this section is to be at such rate as may be prescribed by Rules of Court or Family Justice Rules and is to be costs in the proceedings unless otherwise ordered by the General Division.

Where one or more assessors are summoned for the purposes of this section otherwise than on the application of a party to the proceedings, the remuneration of any such assessor is payable out of moneys provided by Parliament.

Where any person is proposed to be summoned as an assessor, objection to the person, either personally or in respect of the person’s qualification, may be taken by any party in the prescribed manner.