Evidence Act · 2014 Revised Edition · Chapter VI
94. Exclusion of evidence against application of document to existing facts
Official textFrom Attorney General's Chambers, unchanged
When language used in a document is plain in itself and when it applies accurately to existing facts, evidence may not be given to show that it was not meant to apply to such facts.
document
“document” means any matter expressed, described or howsoever represented upon any substance, material, thing or article, including any matter embodied in a disc, tape, film, sound track or other device whatsoever, by means of — (a) letters, figures, marks, symbols, signals or other forms of expression, description or representation whatsoever; (b) any visual recording (whether of still or moving images); (c) any sound recording or any electronic, magnetic, mechanical or other recording, whatsoever and however made, or any sound, electronic impulse or other data whatsoever; (d) a recording or transmission of the means mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c), or by more than one of the means mentioned in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d), intended to be used or which may be used for the purpose of expressing, describing or howsoever representing that matter; Illustrations A writing is a document. Words printed, lithographed or photographed are documents. A map, plan, graph or sketch is a document. An inscription on wood, metal, stone or any other substance, material or thing is a document. A photograph or a negative is a document. A tape recording of a telephonic communication, including a recording of such communication transmitted over distance is a document. A photographic or other visual recording, including a recording of photographic or other visual transmission over a distance is a document. A matter recorded, stored, processed, retrieved or produced by a computer is a document.
Illustration
A conveys to B by deed “my estate at Seria containing 100 acres”. A has an estate at Seria containing 100 acres. Evidence may not be given of the fact that the estate meant was one situated at a different place and of a different size.
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.
Terms defined in s 3
document
Defined · s 3“document” means any matter expressed, described or howsoever represented upon any substance, material, thing or article, including any matter embodied in a disc, tape, film, sound track or other device whatsoever, by means of — (a) letters, figures, marks, symbols, signals or other forms of expression, description or representation whatsoever; (b) any visual recording (whether of still or moving images); (c) any sound recording or any electronic, magnetic, mechanical or other recording, whatsoever and however made, or any sound, electronic impulse or other data whatsoever; (d) a recording or transmission of the means mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c), or by more than one of the means mentioned in paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d), intended to be used or which may be used for the purpose of expressing, describing or howsoever representing that matter; Illustrations A writing is a document. Words printed, lithographed or photographed are documents. A map, plan, graph or sketch is a document. An inscription on wood, metal, stone or any other substance, material or thing is a document. A photograph or a negative is a document. A tape recording of a telephonic communication, including a recording of such communication transmitted over distance is a document. A photographic or other visual recording, including a recording of photographic or other visual transmission over a distance is a document. A matter recorded, stored, processed, retrieved or produced by a computer is a document.
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;
Part III