Silva et al. v. Sadique et al. – 1978_79_80 volume 1 page 166

Brief
In the case between G.P.A. Silva and Others (plaintiffs) and Sadique and Others (defendants), the court addressed whether a Writ of Certiorari could issue to quash findings made by a Commission of Inquiry that did not observe the rules of natural justice. It was held that such a writ does not lie against the report of a commission where the report itself lacks binding legal effect and any subsequent legal disabilities or penalties arise only from separate legislative actions. The principle reaffirmed is that judicial review by certiorari is not available where the commission’s findings do not directly alter legal rights or impose penalties, relying on the interpretation of the Commissions of Inquiry Act (Cap. 393) and considering the separation of investigatory functions from legisla