Evidence Act · 2014 Revised Edition · Chapter XII
172. Consideration relevant
Official textFrom Attorney General's Chambers, unchanged
In estimating the weight (if any) to be given to hearsay evidence in civil proceedings, the court shall have regard to any circumstances from which any inference can reasonably be drawn as to the reliability or otherwise of the evidence.
evidence
“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.
Regard may be had, in particular, to the following —
whether it would have been reasonable and practicable for the party to whom the evidence was adduced to have produced the maker of the original statement as a witness;
whether the original statement was made contemporaneously with the occurrence or existence of the matters stated;
whether the evidence involves multiple hearsay;
whether any person involved had any motive to conceal or misrepresent matters;
whether the original statement was an edited account, or was made in collaboration with another or for a particular purpose;
whether the circumstances in which the evidence is adduced as hearsay are such as to suggest an attempt to prevent proper evaluation of its weight.
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.