12. Examination of applicant and rejection of application.
(1)On receipt of an application for legal aid under rule 10, the committee, after satisfying itself that it has been duly presented and is in proper form, may, if it thinks fit, examine the applicant as regards the merits of the claim and the residence and income of the applicant;(a)provided that the merits of the claim of the applicant may, if need be, examined only by the members of the committee other than the judicial officer.(b)the Chairman of the Committee may, the event of urgency, allow such application and place the same before the Committee for approval.(2)The Committee shall reject the application where it is satisfied, after such inquiry as it thinks fit,-(a)that the applicant has knowingly made false statements or furnished false information as regards material particulars, or(b)that the applicant has entered into any agreement, with reference to the subject of the proceedings concerned, under which any other person has obtained interest in such subject matter, or(c)that in a proceeding other than the one relating to criminal prosecution, there is no [prima facie] case to institute, or defend the case may be, or(d)that the application is frivolous or vexatious or it is otherwise not reasonable, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, tog rant legal aid to the applicant.
