contempt proceedings, make an order that the person who has committed contempt must publish such notice, and in such manner, as the court thinks necessary to apologise for the contemptuous publication.
(4) An order under subsection (3) may be made subject to such exceptions or conditions (including the duration for which the notification must be made accessible to members of the public) as may be specified in the order.
(5) Despite subsection (1), the court may discharge the person who has committed contempt or remit the punishment or any part of it on his or her purging of the contempt, submission to the order or direction of the court or on apology being made to the satisfaction of the court.
(6) To avoid doubt, the court may, if the interests of justice so require, find a person guilty of contempt of court and impose the punishment under this section even though the person is absent.
Power of Attorney-General to give non-publication direction
13.—(1) The Attorney-General may, if he or she is satisfied that it is in the public interest to do so and with the leave of the High Court under subsection (7), direct the publisher of any matter to refrain from or cease publishing that matter.
(2) A direction given under this section may be subject to such exceptions or conditions as may be specified in the direction.
(3) A direction under this section may be served by such means as prescribed in rules made by the Minister.
(4) A direction under this section takes effect in respect of the person to whom such direction applies—
- (a) from the date when such direction is served or deemed served on that person; or
- (b) such later date as the Attorney-General may specify.
(5) Any person who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a direction under this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
