Section 51: Warning to accused

51. Warning to accused (1) After the examination of the witnesses for the prosecution has been completed the Magistrate shall say to the accused these words or words to the like effect— Having heard the evidence, do you wish to say anything in answer to the charge? You are not obliged to say anything unless you desire to do so, but whatever you say will be taken down in writing, and may be given in evidence against you upon your trial, and you are also clearly to understand that you have nothing to hope from any promise of favour, and nothing to fear from any threat which may have been held out to you to induce D13 – 13 [Issue 1] District and Intermediate Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act you to make any admission or confession of your guilt, but whatever you shall now say may be given in evidence against you upon your trial, notwithstanding such promise or threat. (2) Whatever the accused shall then say shall be taken down in writing and read over to him and shall be signed by the Magistrate, and afterwards on the trial of the accused the same may be given in evidence against him, without further proof, unless it is proved that the Magistrate purporting to sign the same did not in fact sign the same. (3) Nothing in this Act shall prevent the prosecutor giving as evidence any admission, confession or other statement of the accused made at any time, which by law is admissible as evidence against him.