Section 14: Information, documents and evidence
50.The Ombudsman has wide powers to require the production of information or documents in relation to an investigation (section 14(1) and (2)) and to require certain persons to provide him/her with any facilities he/she may reasonably require (section 14(3)). The latter provision may be needed, for example, if the Ombudsman were to require the use of certain computer hardware or software to view documents or information provided.
51.The Ombudsman has the same powers as the High Court in relation, amongst other things, to the taking of evidence from witnesses (section 14(2)).
52.Section 14(4) provides protection for those from whom the Ombudsman may require evidence or the production of information or documents. Such a person cannot be required by the Ombudsman to give any evidence or produce any documents which that person could not be compelled to give or produce before the High Court.
53.Section 14(5) prevents information from being withheld by the Crown on the ground that it is subject to an obligation to keep it secret or a restriction on its disclosure.
54.The effect of section 14(6) is that, in relation to the Ombudsman’s power to require evidence or the production of information or documents, the Crown cannot rely on either its special privileges or immunities to defeat the Ombudsman’s right of access to such information or on the protection that would otherwise be afforded by section 14(4).
