Section 280: Certificate of medical officer

(1) Where the medical officer certifies that the defendant is of:
(a) sound mind and capable of making his defence, the court shall, unless satisfied by the defence that the defendant is of unsound mind, proceed with the trial; or
(b) unsound mind and incapable of making his defence, the court shall, where satisfied of the fact, postpone the proceeding.
(2) The trial of the issue as to whether or not the defendant is of unsound mind and incapable of making his defence shall, where the finding is that he is of sound mind and capable of making his defence, be deemed to be part of his trial before the court.
(3) The certificate of the medical officer who issued the certificate shall be admissible under this section even in the absence from court of the medical officer provided there is sufficient explanation for his absence.
(4) Where the defendant is certified to be of unsound mind and incapable of making his defence, it shall not be necessary for him to be present in court during proceedings under this section.