DR 11 - Witnesses Flashcards

1
Q

What are the courts powers in relation to directions on evidence?

A

The court can issue directions:

  • the evidence it requires
  • the nature of the evidence it wants
  • the way evidence is to be placed before the court
  • exclude evidence
  • limit cross-examination
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How is witness testimony generally given at trial?

A

Orally

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is a witness statement?

A

a written statement signed by a person which contains the evidence which that person would be allowed to give orally. It is usually the witness’s evidence in chief.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

If a party has served a witness statement, must they call the witness to give oral evidence at trial

A

Yes. Or they can put in the statement as hearsay.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

When does exchange of witness statements normally take place?

A

After disclosure and inspection.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How can the time limit for serving witness statements be extended?

A

The parties can agree in writing extensions of up to 28 days for serving of witness statements without court approval provided such an extension does not put a hearing at risk.

If an extension will affect a hearing date (or some other deadline) an application to the court should be made.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What happens if a witness statement is served late?

A

An application for relief from sanctions should be made.

Otherwise witness may not be called to give evidence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Can a witness add to their witness statement?

A

The court may permit them to do so if new matters have come to light. But won’t allow this if its a cover-up for deficiencies in the initial statement including when giving evidence orally

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Does a witness generally give oral evidence at an interim hearing?

A

No, normally its just the written witness statement that’s used in evidence. Although it is possible for a party to apply for permission to cross examine the person giving the evidence, this is very rare.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Are the OPINIONS of witnesses admissible?

A

No, only statements of fact. Unless:

  • perceived facts “she was drunk”
  • expert opinion
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Does each witness statement need to be verified by a statement of truth?

A

Yes - contempt of court if had no honest belief that the witness statement was correct.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Can a witness statement in one proceeding be used for other proceedings?

A

No - unless
- the witness or
- court has given permission, or
- it has been put in evidence at a hearing held in public.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Can a company or partnership be a witness?

A

No, only individuals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Some evidence of fact must be given by affidavit. What are the requirements of an affidavit?

A

Must sworn before a person authorised to administer affidavits.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the differences between an affidavit and a witness statement?

A

Affidavit includes:

“state on oath”
“make this affidavit”
“There is now shown to me marked …” (for docs referred to)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the rules for the jurat statement at the end of an affidavit

A
  • be signed by all deponants
  • be signed by the person before whom the affidavit was sworn
  • contain the full address of the person before whom the affidavit was sworn
  • follow immediately on from the text and not put on a separate page.
17
Q

Is hearsay admissible in civil proceedings?

A

Yes

18
Q

What is hearsay?

A
  • an oral or written statement
  • made out of court
  • which is being adduced in court to prove the truth of the matter stated.
19
Q

When is notice of hearsay evidence required / not required?

A

No notice is required if the evidence is in a witness statement of someone who will appear at court.

No notice is required if the evidence is in a witness statement of someone who will NOT appear at court. But the other party must be informed that the witness will not be giving evidence with reasons.

In all other cases, notice must be served identifying the hearsay and the reason why the witness will not be called

20
Q

What happens if notice of hearsay is not given when it should have been?

A

Will still be admissible, but
- given less weight and
- costs may be awarded

21
Q

What are the options on receipt of a notice of intention to rely on hearsay evidence?

A
  • Request particulars of hearsay
  • Call for cross-examination (14 days)
  • Challenge weight
  • Attack credibility
22
Q

When can a call for cross-examination be used?

A

Where a party adduces hearsay evidence, the other party may, with leave of court, call that person as a witness and cross-examine them.

Application to court must be made no later than 14 days after the hearsay notice was served.

23
Q

When must a party give notice that they want to attack the credibility of an absent witness?

A

Notification of the other party that this is what it wants to do must be made no later than 14 days after the hearsay notice was served.

24
Q

When can the fact that a person has been convicted of an offence in a UK court be admissible

A
  • Providing the offence is relevant to an issue in the proceedings.
25
Q

If a person has been convicted of an offence, does that end the matter?

A

No, the burden of proof is then on the offender to prove that they did not commit the offence on the balance of probabilities.

26
Q

What happens after expert witness reports have been exchanged?

A

After notice in directions questionnaire giving:
- cost
- expertise

Then:

  • 28 days to ask questions, (but only once). Answers become part of expert report
  • If don’t answer, expert report may be said to be unreliable by court
  • Set availability for Court
  • experts agree areas of dispute.
27
Q

How long do you have to ask questions of experts?

A

Questions must be served 28 days after report received

28
Q

How many times can an expert be questioned in relation to their report?

A

Once

29
Q

Where should questions to experts be sent?

A

To the expert and a copy to the other party

30
Q

Who are expert reports addressed to?

A

The court

31
Q

For small and fast track claims, when will the court grant permission for an expert to appear at trial?

A

If it’s in the interests of justice

32
Q

Is a letter of instruction from solicitor to expert privileged?

A

No but no automatic right to inspection

33
Q

Is an expert report privileged?

A
  • Yes, but waived when submitted
  • Draft reports remain privileged
34
Q

Can the time for serving witness statement be extended?

A

Yes, up to 28 days
For longer, court approval needed provided it does not put hearing at risk

35
Q

What happens where no extension is agreed but witness statements were served late?

A

An application would be needed for relief from sanctions

36
Q

What must evidence of facts be given by?

A

Affidavit (as opposed to a witness statement) if required by court

37
Q

What authenticates an affidavit?

A

A jurat (not a statement of truth)

38
Q

In Small Claims or FastTrack cases, what is the likely number of expert witnesses?

A

Normally one joint expert

39
Q

Hearsay
are plans, photos and models hearsay

A

Yes. Notice must be given for their use or else it will not be receiveable at trial.