Evidence of Fact (Syllabus 19) Flashcards
What powers of control of evidence does the court have?
the court can control evidence bu giving directions as to-
(1) the issues on which it requires evidence;
(2) the nature of the evidence which it requires to decide those issues; and
(3) the way in which the evidence is to be placed before the court.
Can the court exclude evidence tray would otherwise be admissible?
Yes
Can the court limit cross-examination?
Yes
What is the general rule of evidence of witnesses?
any fact which needs to be proved by the evidence of witnesses is to be proved-
(a) at trial, by their oral evidence given in public; and
(b) at at any other hearing, by their evidence in writing.
What directions can the court give in relation to the evidence of witnesses?
(1) identifying or limiting the issues to which factual evidence may be directed
(2) identifying the witness who may be called or whose evidence may be read; or
(3) limiting the length or format of witness statements.
Can evidence be given by any other means?
by video link or other means.
What are the requirements for serving a witness statement?
the court will order a party to serve on the other parties any wonted statement of the oral evidence which the party serving the statement intends to rely on in relation to any issues of fact to be decided at the trial.
What is a witness statement?
a written statement signed by a person which contains the evidence which that person would be allowed to give orally.
If a party has served a statement and wishes to rely on the evidence of that witness what must happen?
the party must call the witness to give oral evidence unless the court orders otherwise or he puts the statement in as hearsay evidence.
Where a witness is called to give evidence, what is his evidence in chief?
his written statement unless the court orders otherwise.
What can a witness giving oral evidence do with the permission of the court?
amplify his witness statement and give evidence in relation to new matters which have arisen since the witness statement was served on the other parties.
When will the court give permission to amplify a witness statement?
the court will give permission only if it considers that there is good reason not to confine the evidence of the witness to the contents of his witness statement.
What can another party do, if the party who has served the witness statement does not call the witness to give evidence at trial or put the witness statement in as hearsay evidence?
the other party can put that witness statement in as hearsay.
Why would the witness statement be ordered not to be the evidence in chief?
where it deals at large with issues that are not contested, as this prevents there from being any saving of time.
When would a witness wish to amplify their statement?
when new issues have arisen, or things have been discovered since they made their statement.
Where should amplification not be allowed?
where it would cause a shift of focus from the real issues in dispute, or where it is too late and would cause injustice to the opponent.
How is evidence given at hearings other than trials?
usually by witness statement unless the court, a PD or other enactment requires otherwise.
What else can parties relies on at hearings other than trial?
(1) his statement of case; or
(2) his application notice, if the statement of case or application notice is verified by a statement of truth.
What can a party do if they wish to cross-examine at a hearing other than a trial?
the party may apply to the court for permission to cross-examine the person giving the evidence in the statement.
If the court gives permission for a party to be cross-examined, at a hearing other than trial, but they do not turn up, what happens?
the evidence cannot be sued unless the court gives permission.
What form must the witness statement take?
it must comply with the requirements of PD 32
What is a witness summary?
a summary of-
(1) the evidence if known, which would otherwise be included in a witness statement; or
(2) if the evidence is not known, the matters which the party serving the witness summary proposes to question the witness.
When will a witness summary be used?
when a party is required to serve a witness statement for use at trial but is unable to obtain one.
How is a witness summary obtained?
the party who was unable to obtain the witness statement may apply without notice for permission to serve a witness summary instead.
What are the consequences of a failure to serve a witness statement or summary?
if a witness statement or summary for use at trial is not served within the time specified by the court, then the witness may not be called to give oral evidence unless the court gives permission.
What can a witness be cross-examined on?
Where a witness is called to give evidence at trial the witness can be cross-examined on his statement whether or not that statement or any part of it was referred to during the witness’s evidence.
Can the witness statement be used for any purpose other than the trial it was served for?
No unless-
(1) the witness gives consent in writing to some other use of it
(2) the court gives permission for some other use; or
(3) the witness statement has been put in evidence at a hearing held in public.