Commentary on Sections Part 10: Schools Chapter 2: Complaints: England Section 210: Investigations: further provisions
690.The section gives a Local Commissioner various powers in order to facilitate their investigations. A Local Commissioner may require a governing body, head teacher, or any other person who in the Local Commissioner’s opinion is able to provide information or documents relevant to the investigation, to provide such information or documents.
691.A Local Commissioner has the same powers as the High Court to compel the attendance and examination of witnesses and the production of documents. This means that anyone not complying with a Local Commissioner’s requests may be in contempt of court and subject to the penalties associated with that. If any person obstructs an investigation, or is guilty of an act or omission in relation to an investigation which would constitute contempt of court in proceedings in the High Court, a Local Commissioner may certify this as an offence to the High Court. The High Court may then deal with the person charged as though they had committed the same offence in relation to the High Court.