Evidence Act · 2014 Revised Edition · Chapter X
Section 143
Official textFrom Attorney General's Chambers, unchanged
Leading questions may be asked in cross-examination, subject to the following qualifications —
the question must not put into the mouth of the witness the very words which he is to echo back again; and
the question must not assume that facts have been proved which have not been proved, or that particular answers have been given contrary to the fact.
Evidence
The court, in its discretion, may prohibit leading questions from being put to a witness who shows a strong interest or bias in favour of the cross-examining party.
court
“court” includes all Judges and Magistrates and, except arbitrators, all persons legally authorised to take evidence;
Terms defined in s 3
court
Defined · s 3“court” includes all Judges and Magistrates and, except arbitrators, all persons legally authorised to take evidence;
evidence
Defined · s 3“evidence” includes — (a) all statements which the court permits or requires to be made before it by witnesses in relation to matters of fact under inquiry: such statements are called oral evidence; (b) all documents produced for the inspection of the court: such documents are called documentary evidence.
fact
Defined · s 3“fact” means and includes — (a) anything, state of things or relation of things capable of being perceived by the senses; (b) any mental condition of which any person is conscious. Illustrations (a) That there are certain objects arranged in a certain order in a certain place is a fact. (b) That a man heard or saw something is a fact. (c) That a man said certain words is a fact. (d) That a man holds a certain opinion, has a certain intention, acts in good faith or fraudulently, or uses a particular word in a particular sense, or is or was at a specified time conscious of a particular sensation, is a fact. (e) That a man has a certain reputation is a fact. One fact is said to be relevant to another when the one is connected with the other in any of the ways referred to in the provisions of this Act relating to the relevancy of facts;