Criminal procedure – Committal proceedings – Jurisdiction of Magistrate to hear committal proceedings – Proceedings to be conducted "in the presence or hearing of the defendant" – Whether essential that defendant understand and follow the proceedings – Deaf, mute and illiterate defendant – Whether an order for prohibition should be made.
Criminal procedure – Committal proceedings – Requirement in Justices Act (NT), ss 110 and 111 that Magistrate address defendant in certain terms – Whether mandatory or directory.
Criminal procedure – Committal proceedings against defendant not possible – Whether Crown may proceed by way of ex officio indictment.
Words and phrases – "in the presence or hearing of the defendant".
Justices Act (NT), ss 106, 110, 111.
Kunnath v The State [1993] 1 WLR 1315; [1993] 4 All ER 30, considered.