Legal proceedings against Officers

(1) Where legal proceedings are instituted against an Officer in respect of any act or omission committed in the performance of his duties, such Officer shall be entitled to the cost of legal assistance if the Chief Parliamentary Counsel advises the Committee that it is a proper case for legal National Assembly Staff 37 assistance and the Committee is of the opinion that it is in the public interest for such assistance to be given. (2) Where proceedings brought against an Officer are defended by Government, and the Committee considers that it would be advisable to settle such proceedings, the Committee shall recommend to the Financial Secretary the amount for which it considers that efforts should be made to settle such proceedings and also the amount, if any, which the National Assembly should contribute towards such settlement. Upon receipt of the decision, the Officer shall be informed of what amount, if any, he shall be called upon to contribute towards such settlement. If the Officer agrees to make the contribution decided upon, he shall so state in writing and, thereupon, the Committee may take steps to settle such proceedings. If the Officer does not agree to contribute the amount decided upon, Government may refuse to continue to defend him. (3) Where, as a result of the act of an Officer, legal proceedings are successfully brought against the National Assembly or any Officer thereof, and the Committee deems it desirable to settle such proceedings out of court, disciplinary action may, if the circumstances so warrant. be instituted against such Officer.