Part 6: Enforcement Section 175: Provision of assistance in special purposes proceedings
This section allows for individuals who are a party, or a prospective party, to special purposes related proceedings (as defined in section 174) to apply to the Commissioner for assistance in those proceedings. It requires the Commissioner to decide whether, and to what extent, to grant assistance, but stipulates that the Commissioner must only approve the application if the case, in the Commissioner’s opinion, involves a matter of substantial public importance. The section also requires the Commissioner to notify the applicant as soon as reasonably practicable of a decision either way in respect of granting assistance.
	If the Commissioner decides that the matter is not of substantial public importance, the section requires reasons to be given.
	If the Commissioner decides that the matter is of substantial public importance, and therefore to grant assistance, the section requires the Commissioner to ensure that the person against whom the proceedings are brought is notified of the decision, as well as the applicant. The Commissioner is also required to give the applicant details of the assistance to be provided. The section permits the Commissioner to either pay the costs in connection with the proceedings or indemnify the applicant for liability to pay costs, expenses or damages in connection with the proceedings.
	This section also makes provision for the Commissioner to recover expenses incurred as a result of granting assistance on a priority basis should the applicant be paid sums of money as a result of the proceedings.