COUNSEL FOR ACCUSED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 105, 19 September 1912, Page 7

COUNSEL FOR ACCUSED.

A LIBERAL MEASURE. By Telegraph—Own Correspondent. Wellington, Tues da y. 1 lie Justice*; of the l'eace Amendment Bill, introduced in the house by the Hon. A. L. Herd man. makes the following provisions:— (1) Where, on the hearing of a charge of an indictable oileiice under part 4 for the principal Act. the justices are satisfied that the means of the accused are iusulTiciint to ejiable him to obtain legal aid in the preparation and conduct of his dei'i nee, and that, havim; regard to the nature of the defence' set up bv the accused, it is desirable, >n the interests of justice, that he should have such aid. the said justices shall, oil the committal of the accused for trial, certifv to these faids in the prescribed form, and transmit, th" r cert ilica to to the Minister of Justice; (2) on receipt of such certilica I e the Minister shall take tile st.-ps to provide counsel to assist the accused in ilis defence: (:S) at any lime before or during tlie trial of a person accused of an indictable offence, the Judge of the Supreme Court before whom eiich trial is to be. or is being, held, may, if he is satisfied that the means of flic accused are iiisiilVicieat <t> enable, liiui to obtain legal aid ill (lie preparation and conduct of his defence, and that it is desirable in the interests of Jui-lice that he should have such aid. assign counsel to siieii recused iier-nii accordingly; (-1) the expenses of the delcnce of mi accused pei's'in ill pip'-uiancc of thi- section, including the cosj, of a copy of (lie depositions. lh" fees of cotinse'. and I he expenses of witnesses shall lie allowed and pa ill in tin' same manner as the expenses of a. pm-eetiiimi in cns,s of indictable idleiices, subject, however, to any regulations as to rates or scales of payment- or otherwise, which may be made by the (Governor.