Section 103/1 — Officer taking evidence out of court
Texte légal (original thaï)
ในกรณีที่คู่ความตกลงกัน และศาลเห็นเป็นการจำเป็นและสมควร ศาลอาจแต่งตั้งเจ้าพนักงานศาลหรือเจ้าพนักงานอื่นซึ่งคู่ความเห็นชอบให้ทำการสืบพยานหลักฐานส่วนใดส่วนหนึ่งที่จะต้องกระทำนอกศาลแทนได้
ให้เจ้าพนักงานผู้ปฏิบัติหน้าที่ตามวรรคหนึ่งเป็นเจ้าพนักงานตามประมวลกฎหมายอาญา และให้นำความในมาตรา ๑๐๓ มาใช้บังคับโดยอนุโลม
traduction anglaise
Where the parties so agree and the court sees it as necessary and appropriate, the court may appoint a court officer, or another officer whom the parties approve, to take, in its stead, any part of the evidence that must be taken outside the court.
The officer performing the duty under paragraph one shall be an official under the Penal Code, and the provisions of Section 103 shall apply mutatis mutandis.
Cette traduction anglaise est fournie à titre indicatif uniquement et n'a pas encore été vérifiée de manière définitive ; référez-vous toujours à l'original thaï.
Annotation de l'entreprise
Section 103/1 offers a flexible, consent-based way to take evidence outside the courtroom. On the parties' agreement and where the court finds it necessary and appropriate, a court officer or another mutually approved officer may take a defined part of the out-of-court evidence in the court's stead. To secure the integrity of that process, the section deems the officer an official under the Penal Code (so the offences protecting official functions apply) and imports Section 103 mutatis mutandis, so the parties keep their full opportunity to attend and participate. It sits alongside Sections 102 and 103/2 as part of the modern toolkit for efficient evidence taking.
Pourquoi cela est important en pratique
If both sides want to speed up an out-of-court step, for example inspecting or recording certain evidence, you can jointly propose an officer to handle it under Section 103/1, but the court must still see it as necessary and appropriate. Choose the officer carefully, since both parties must approve, and remember the exercise is not private: Section 103's attendance rights carry over, and the officer carries the duties and protections of an official under the Penal Code. Put the agreed scope in writing so there is no later dispute about what the officer was authorised to do.
Foire aux questions
Can someone other than a judge take evidence out of court?
Yes. Under Section 103/1, if the parties agree and the court finds it necessary and appropriate, a court officer or another approved officer may take part of the out-of-court evidence in the court's stead.
Is party agreement required?
Yes. This mechanism depends on the parties' agreement, and the appointed officer must be one the parties approve; the court must additionally find the step necessary and appropriate.
Do my rights to attend still apply?
Yes. Section 103 applies mutatis mutandis, so you keep a full opportunity to attend and participate, and the officer is treated as an official under the Penal Code.