What is "contempt of parliament"

n. The offence of obstructing a parliament in the carrying out of its functions, or of hindering any Member of Parliament in the performance of his or her duties.

In some countries, contempt of Parliament is the offence of obstructing the legislature in the carrying out of its functions, or of hindering any legislator in the performance of his or her duties. The offence is known by various other names in jurisdictions in which the legislature is not called " parliament". Actions that may constitute contempt of parliament include:

• deliberately misleading a house of the legislature, or a legislative committee;
• refusing to testify before, or to produce documents to, a house or committee; and
• attempting to influence a member of the legislature by bribery or threats.

In some jurisdictions, a house of the legislature may declare any act to constitute contempt, and this is not subject to judicial review. In others, contempt of parliament is defined by statute; while the legislature makes the initial decision of whether to punish for contempt, the person or organisation in contempt may appeal to the courts. Some jurisdictions consider contempt of parliament to be a criminal offence.