Assignment and payment of counsel in capital charges

(1) Whenever it appears to the court, or a judge thereof, that any person charged with any capital offence has not the means to retain and pay for the services of counsel, the court, or judge thereof, may assign counsel to defend such accused person. (2) The court or judge may authorise the payment to counsel assigned for the defence of such accused person an honorarium not exceeding a sum set out in any rules of court made by the Chief Justice for that purpose and such honorarium shall be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.