17. Protection of persons responsible for publications authorised by House
A person, being a defendant in any civil or criminal proceedings instituted for or on account or in respect of the publication by such person or by his or her servant, by order or under the authority of the House, of any report, papers, minutes, votes or proceedings, may, on giving to the plaintiff or prosecutor (as the case may be) 24 hours written notice of his or her intention, bring before the court in which such civil or criminal proceedings are being held a certificate under the hand of the Speaker, or of the Clerk stating that the reports, papers, minutes, votes or proceedings in respect whereof such civil or criminal proceedings have been instituted were published by such person or by his or her servant by order or under the authority of the House, with an affidavit verifying such certificate and such court shall thereupon immediately stay such civil or criminal proceedings and the same and every process issued therein shall be deemed to be finally determined.