PART III. – BASIC PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT.

Division 3. – Basic Rights.

Subdivision B. – Fundamental Rights.

37. PROTECTION OF THE LAW.

(5) Except with his own consent, the trial shall not take place in his absence unless he so conducts himself as to render the continuance of the proceedings in his presence impracticable and the court orders him to be removed and the trial to proceed in his absence, but provision may be made by law for a charge that a person has committed an offence the maximum penalty for which does not include imprisonment, (except in default of payment of a fine), to be heard summarily in his absence if it is established that he has been duly served with a summons in respect of the alleged offence.

SCHEDULE 1 – THE CRIMINAL CODE.

PART VIII. – PROCEDURE.

Division 4. – Trial: Adjournment: Pleas: Practice.

571. PRESENCE OF ACCUSED.

(1) Subject to Subsection (2), a trial must take place in the presence of the accused person, unless he so conducts himself as to render the continuance of the proceedings in his presence impracticable, in which case the court–

(a) may order him to be removed ; and
(b) may direct the trial to proceed in his absence.

(2) The court may, in any case, if it thinks fit, permit a person charged with a misdemeanour to be absent during the whole or any part of the trial on such conditions as it thinks proper.

(3) If the accused person absents himself during the trial without leave, the court may direct a warrant to be issued to arrest him and bring him before the court.