Order 44 — Power of the Court to Ask Questions of Witnesses
Rule 1 Judge may ask witness order production of document.
During trial, the Court may ask any question of witness or order the witness to produce any document in the witness’ possession in order to clear up any ambiguities which may have been left obscured in evidence given by such a witness.
Rule 2 Counsel not object to Judge's question.
Where the Court asks a question of or orders a witness to produce any document in compliance with rule 1 of this Order, no objection to such question or order either from the party or counsel to the party shall be allowed and the witness shall not be cross-examined upon any answer in reply to such question from the Judge without the leave of Court.
Provided that the question to be asked by the Court shall be based on facts that are relevant to the fair determination of the matter before the Court.
Rule 3 When person summoned is not a witness.
Where a person simplicita is summoned to produce a document, the person does not for that purpose become a witness and so cannot by the mere fact that of producing the document become a witness or be cross-examined until such a person is actually called as a witness.