law: Convert's Marriage Dissolution Act, 1866
  13. First interrogation of respondent
  The respondent, if such points be proved to
  
  the satisfaction of the Judge, shall thereupon be asked whether she or he
  
  refuses to cohabit with the petitioner, and, if so, what is the ground of such
  
  refusal.
  In ordinary cases such interrogation and every
  
  other interrogation prescribed by this Act shall be made by the Judge, but when
  
  the respondent is exempt by law from personal appearance in Court, or when the
  
  Judge shall, in his discretion, excuse the respondent from such appearance, the
  
  interrogations shall be made by Commissioners acting under such commission as
  
  hereinafter mentioned.