They have been held in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Malaysia, Mauritius[1] and Saudi Arabia.
Such an inquiry has considerable powers, typically equivalent or greater than those of a judge but restricted to the terms of reference for which it was created.
The commission is created by the head of state (the sovereign, or their representative in the form of a governor-general or governor) on the advice of the government and formally appointed by letters patent.
These can be matters such as government structure, the treatment of minorities, events of considerable public concern or economic questions.
The government decides the terms of reference, provides the funding and appoints the commissioners, who are selected on the basis of their independence and qualifications.