Cap. 12 Art. 645Contents of order.

(1) The court shall not appoint a referee solely for the purpose of examining witnesses on oath and taking down their depositions in writing and establishing the relevant facts.

(2) In the decree appointing the referee, the court shall -

(a) state the object of the reference;

(b) fix the day and time when the referee is to conduct an inspection where necessary; in faciem loci

(c) give directions for the guidance of the referee in the execution of his task.

(3) The court may at any time, at the request of the registrar or on its own motion, order the referee to return the records of the cause that are in his possession, to the registrar there to remain for such time as shall be specified in that order. In case of non-compliance with the court’s order, the referee shall without prejudice to any other proceedings which may be instituted against him be guilty of contempt of court.

(4) The court may order the referee to attend for the hearing of the trial and to put to the witnesses any questions he may deem necessary or relevant to enable him to complete his report.

(5) Where affidavits have been filed in the registry of the court, the referee shall be served with a copy of such affidavits before the hearing.