(1) For the purpose of the inquiry, the referee has the same powers as the court other than the power to commit for contempt of court.
(2) Unless the court otherwise orders, the referee must adopt the simplest, least expensive and most expeditious method of conducting the reference.
(3) The referee may hold the trial or conduct the inquiry at any place and at any time which appears to the referee to be convenient to the parties.
(4) If a person served with a witness summons to appear before a referee —
(a) fails to attend;
(b) refuses to answer any lawful question or produce any document at the inquiry; or
(c) refuses to be sworn or affirm for the purposes of the inquiry,
the referee must sign and file a certificate of such failure or refusal.
(5) Any party may apply to the court for an order requiring the person served with the witness summons to appear before a referee to attend, be sworn or affirmed, or answer any question or produce any document, as the case may be.
(6) An application for an order under paragraph (5) may be made without notice but must be supported by evidence on affidavit.
(7) In the case of non-attendance, the affidavit must prove —
(a) service of the witness summons; and
(b) that the person served with the witness summons was paid or offered the payments required by rule 33.6.
(8) An order under this rule must be served personally on the person served with the witness summons and be endorsed with a notice in accordance with rule 53.3(b).
(9) A person who wilfully disobeys an order made against that person under this rule commits contempt of court.
(10) The court may order the person against whom an order is made under this rule to pay any costs resulting from the —
(a) failure to attend before a referee;
(b) refusal to answer any lawful question or produce any document at the inquiry; or
(c) refusal to be sworn or to affirm for the purpose of the inquiry.
• Part 53 deals with the procedure to apply to commit a person for contempt of court.