s 33 Evidence by conditioned statements
33. —(1) Despite anything in any written law, a written statement made by any person summoned as a witness in any inquiry is admissible as evidence at the inquiry to the same extent and to the same effect as oral evidence by the person, if the following conditions are satisfied: ( a ) the statement appears to be signed by the person who made it; ( b ) the statement contains a declaration by the person to the effect that it is true to the best of his or her knowledge and belief and that he or she made the statement knowing that, if it were given in evidence, he or she would be liable to prosecution if he or she stated in it anything he or she knew to be false or did not believe to be true. (2) The following provisions also apply to any written statement given in evidence under this section: ( a ) if the statement is made by a person below 21 years of age, it must state his or her age; ( b ) if it is made by a person who cannot read it, it must be read to him or her before he or she signs it and must be accompanied by a declaration by the person who read the statement to him or her, stating that it was so read; ( c ) if it refers to any other document as an exhibit, it must be accompanied by a copy of that document or by information that will enable the Coroner to inspect that document or a copy of it. (3) Where a written statement made by any witness is admitted in evidence under this section in an inquiry (called in this Act a conditioned statement), the Coroner may call the person to give evidence. —(1) Despite anything in any written law, a written statement made by any person summoned as a witness in any inquiry is admissible as evidence at the inquiry to the same extent and to the same effect as oral evidence by the person, if the following conditions are satisfied: ( a ) the statement appears to be signed by the person who made it; ( b ) the statement contains a declaration by the person to the effect that it is true to the best of his or her knowledge and belief and that he or she made the statement knowing that, if it were given in evidence, he or she would be liable to prosecution if he or she stated in it anything he or she knew to be false or did not believe to be true. (2) The following provisions also apply to any written statement given in evidence under this section: ( a ) if the statement is made by a person below 21 years of age, it must state his or her age; ( b ) if it is made by a person who cannot read it, it must be read to him or her before he or she signs it and must be accompanied by a declaration by the person who read the statement to him or her, stating that it was so read; ( c ) if it refers to any other document as an exhibit, it must be accompanied by a copy of that document or by information that will enable the Coroner to inspect that document or a copy of it. (3) Where a written statement made by any witness is admitted in evidence under this section in an inquiry (called in this Act a conditioned statement), the Coroner may call the person to give evidence.