Interrogatories & Commission
Direction for Interrogatories
In any matter where relief is claimed by way of damages or otherwise ise sought on the ground of fraud or breach of trust, the claimant may, after delivering his statement of claim and the defendant may at any time after delivering his defence, without an order, and in every other case may with an order upon such terms as the security for costs or otherwise, as the Court may direct, deliver interrogatories in writing for examination of the opposite party or one or more of them.
Such interrogatories when delivered shall have a note stating which of the interrogatories each person is to answer. No party shall deliver more than one set of interrogatories to the same party without an order for that purpose. Interrogatories which do not relate to any matters in question in the cause or matter shall be deemed irrelevant notwithstanding that they may be admissible on oral cross examination.
Application
A copy of interrogatories proposed to be delivered is to be delivered with the notice of application for leave to deliver them, unless the Court otherwise orders. The interrogatories sought to be delivered shall be submitted to and considered by the Court.
In deciding on the application, the Court shall take into account any offer which may be made by the party sought to be interrogated, deliver particulars or make admissions or to produce documents relating to the matter in question. Leave should be given as to such only of the interrogatories as should be necessary either for disposing fairly of the cause or matter or for saving costs.
If interrogatories have been issued exhibited, unreasonably, vexatiously or of  improper length, the costs occasioned by them may be required to be paid on taxation by the party at fault.
Interrogatories are in a prescribed form. In the case of companies, interrogatories may be delivered to any member or officer of such corporation for response.
Objection & Set Aside
Any objection to answering interrogatories on the ground that they are scandalous, irrelevant, not bona fide for the purpose of the cause or the matters inquired into, Â not sufficiently material at that stage or on other ground, may be taken in the affidavit in answer.
Interrogatories may be set aside on the ground that they are have been issued  unreasonably, vexatiously or on the ground that they are prolix, oppressive, unnecessary, or scandalous. An application for this purpose may be made within seven days after service.
Answer to Interrogatories
Interrogatories shall be answered by affidavit to be filed within ten days or such other period,  as the Court allow. Answers to interrogatories are to be in a prescribed form.
No exception shall be taken to any affidavit in answer. The sufficiency or otherwise of any such affidavit objected to as insufficient shall be determined by the Court on motion.
If any person interrogated omits to answer or answers insufficiently, the party interrogating may apply to Court for an order requiring him to answer or to answer further, as the case may be. The order may require him to answer by affidavit or verbally by examination.
Evidence on Commission
The court may permit evidence to be given on commission where it appears necessary. This is most commonly done where a person is outside the jurisdiction and is unwilling to attend or is unable to attend due to illness or incapacity.
An application must be made to have evidence taken by commission, by way of a motion to court based on affidavit. The application will be granted, only where it is necessary to do so. The court must be satisfied that there is a good reason why the witness cannot or ought not to attend.  A strong case must be made out.
If either party would be seriously prejudiced and suffer injustice by the denial of an opportunity for cross-examination the order is unlikely to be granted.
The court will consider
- the  importance of the evidence;
- the difficulties and expense encountered in the witnesses attendance;
- whether the witness\’ evidence is likely to be disputed;
- whether the credibility of the witness is in issue whether alternative witnesses may be available,
- whether the absence of the witness will be fatal to one party’s case the case;
- where the witness is living.
Taking the Evidence
An order for taking evidence on commission will specify a person, who may a judge, officer of a court, barrister, commissioner or other people, to take evidence on commission. The examinations is to take place in the presence of the parties or their representatives.  The examination is supervised by the commissioner, whose main function is accurate to record the evidence. The examiner may put questions in order to clarify the evidence given.
The witness under commission is administered an oath or affirmation. The witness is cross-examined and re-examined in the same manner as in court proceedings. The examiner may not rule of the admissibility of questions. He may not compel answers. Such issues, if they arise are to be referred for decision by the court. On completion of the evidence, the commissioner reads the evidence in written form and the witness signs it. It is then filed in the Central Office.
Evidence on commission may be admitted by the court, on such terms as the court allows. Evidence may not be given without the consent of the party against whom it is offered unless the court is satisfied that
- the person giving the evidence is dead
- beyond the jurisdiction of the court or
- unable from sickness or other infirmities to attend.
In this case, the disposition is admissible. Parties may make objections on the basis that the evidence offered inadmissible in itself, the commissioner having no power in that regard.