23/12/2024, 19:03 The Punjab Defamation Act 2024 maximum of three dates of hearing, within a total period of thirty (30) days, for each of the Parties for production of their evidence. (15) The affidavit of the witnesses filed by the respective Parties may be treated as witness’s statement in chief, if the witness concerned does not wish to make an oral statement before the Tribunal. 14. Claim by or against female or a member of a minority community.– (1) In case a female or member of a minority community is victim of defamation and seeks to lodge his claim in terms of sub sections (2) & (3) of section 11 or where the defendant of a claim under sub sections (2) & (3) of section 11 is a female or member of Minority Community, such claimant or defendant, as the case may be, request to seek the provision of services of an attorney/advocate/pleader and considering such request, such facility shall be made available by the office of the District Attorney, for the purpose of proceedings before the Tribunal and by the office of the Advocate General for the purpose of proceedings before the High Court. (2) In case of actionable defamation pertaining gender sensitive or minority community related defamation, the request for in camera proceedings may be made, which will be decided by the Tribunal on the basis of merits of each case. 15. Preliminary Decree.– (1) In case of failure of the Defendant to obtain leave to defend, the Tribunal shall forthwith pass the preliminary decree for General Damages. (2) The preliminary decree passed under sub-section (1) shall, for all purposes (including appeal and execution), be deemed to be a decree passed under this Act, and any amount covered thereby or recovered in execution thereof shall be adjusted at the time of the final decree: Provided that it shall be open to the Tribunal, notwithstanding the pendency of any appeal, to modify in part or in whole or reverse the terms of the preliminary decree at the time of the final disposal of the claim, and pass such order as it may deem just and proper: Provided further that neither the Tribunal nor the Lahore High Court shall stay execution of a preliminary decree unless the judgment-debtor deposits in cash with the Tribunal the decretal amount and the Tribunal, in lieu of such cash, shall accept no surety or guarantee. 16. Execution of Decree.– (1) Upon pronouncement of preliminary decree, the claim to that extent shall automatically stand converted into execution proceedings without the need to file a separate application for execution and no fresh notice need be issued to the Defendant/judgment-debtor in this regard. (2) A separate file shall be construed for the purpose of the remaining claim, if so desired to be proceeded with by the Claimant, and any final judgment or decree, if so passed, shall merge in the preliminary decree: Provided that if the record of the claim is summoned at any stage by the Lahore High Court for purposes of hearing an appeal under section 26 or otherwise, copies of the decree and other documents shall be retained by the Tribunal for the purpose of continuing the execution proceedings. (3) The decree passed by the Tribunal shall be executed in accordance with the provisions of the Code or any other law for the time being in force or in such manner as the Tribunal may, at the request of the decree-holder, consider appropriate, including recovery as arrears of land revenue, and arrest and detention of the judgment-debtor. (4) The Tribunal may seek the services and assistance of law enforcement agencies, including the Punjab Police, in exercise of powers conferred under this section. punjablaws.gov.pk/laws/2884.html 10/13