decide any proceedings, other than criminal proceedings, relating to
any matter under this Act.
19.
(2)
Any proceedings which in terms of this Act are to be heard and
decided by the commissioner shall be heard and decided by him at
such place in Pretoria as may be designated by the registrar: Provided
that if it be made to appear to him that the proceedings may be more
conveniently or fitly heard and decided in another place, the
commissioner may hear and decide the proceedings in such other
place.
(3)
If, during the hearing of any proceedings before the commissioner,
any person wilfully interrupts the proceedings or wilfully insults the
commissioner or any person attending at such hearing, or otherwise
misbehaves himself at the hearing, the commissioner may make an
order committing that person to imprisonment for a period not
exceeding one month or order that person to pay a fine not exceeding
R100 or in default of payment thereof to be imprisoned for a period not
exceeding one month.
Procedure in connection with proceedings before commissioner to be in
accordance with Supreme Court procedure.
(1)
Save as is otherwise provided in this Act, the procedure in connection
with any proceedings before the commissioner shall, as far as
practicable, be in accordance with the law governing procedure in civil
cases in the Transvaal Provincial Division of the Supreme Court of
South Africa, and in default thereof and where no relevant provision is
made in this Act, the commissioner shall act in such manner and on
such principles as he may deem best fitted to do substantial justice
and to give effect to and carry out the objects and provisions of this
Act.
(2)
Subject to the provisions of section 17 (3), any decision or order of the
commissioner, including any order as to costs, shall have the same
effect and shall for all purposes be deemed to be a decision or order
of the Transvaal Provincial Division of the Supreme Court.
(3)
A party to any proceedings before the commissioner may appear in
person or be represented thereat by—
(a)
an advocate;
(b)
an agent; or
(c)
an attorney who has been granted the right of appearance in
the High Court in terms of section 4 of the Right of Appearance
in Courts Act, 1995 (Act No. 62 of 1995).
[Sub-s. (3) substituted by s. 1 of Act No. 10 of 2001.]
CHAPTER IV
PATENT AGENTS AND PATENT ATTORNEYS
20.
Qualifications and registration of patent agents and patent attorneys.
(1)
At any time within five years of the date of commencement of this Act,
any person residing in the Republic may on passing the prescribed