Protection of Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources and Expressions of Folklore [ No. 16 of 2016 57. The powers, rights and privileges of the Registrar in proceedings before the Registrar under this Act shall be the same as those conferred upon commissioners by the Inquiries Act and the provisions of that Act shall, with the necessary modification, apply in relation to the hearing and determination of any matter before the Registrar under this Act and to any person summoned to give evidence or giving evidence before the Registrar. 58. Except where there is reasonable cause to do so, any person appearing before the Registrar who refuses to be sworn or to make an affirmation or refuses to answer any question lawfully required to be answered or fails to produce any document or thing that is required to be produced, commits an offence. 59. The Registrar shall not, in the discharge of any function or exercise of any power, be bound by the rules of evidence or by rules of procedure of any court and may conduct proceedings in such manner as the Registrar considers appropriate and admit any evidence, written or oral, whether or not such evidence would be admissible in civil or criminal proceedings. 60. The Registrar may fix the time and place at which proceedings held before the Registrar may take place. 61. If, due to circumstances beyond the control of a person, a relevant act that is required, by this Act, to be done within a prescribed time is not or cannot be done within that time, the Registrar may, on application by the person, extend the time for doing the act. 62. Where the Registrar is required, as provided in this Act, to do any act or thing and no time or period is provided within which the act or thing is to be done, the Registrar is to do the act or thing as soon as practicable. 63. Any action or proceeding relating to the infringement of a right provided for in this Act shall be brought before the High Court. 64. (1) Where a person is not satisfied with the decision of the Registrar, the person may appeal against the decision to the High Court. (2) Subject to this Act, an appeal against a decision of the Registrar shall be brought within three months after the date of the receipt of the decision or within such further time as the High Court may allow. 479 Registrar’s powers in obtaining evidence Cap. 41 Refusing to give evidence Rules of evidence or procedure Time and place of sitting Extension of time Registrar to act as soon as practicable Infringement of rights Appeals