Meaning of Evidence
Evidence refers to any material or information presented in a legal proceeding to establish or challenge relevant facts. It includes facts, statements, documents, objects, or testimonies that help the court in determining the truth and reaching a just decision.
Nature of Evidence
- Relevance: Evidence must have a logical connection to the facts in dispute and be relevant to the case at hand.
- Admissibility: Certain rules and provisions govern the admissibility of evidence. Illegally obtained evidence or evidence that does not meet legal requirements may be deemed inadmissible.
- Weight and credibility: The court evaluates the credibility and reliability of evidence and assigns it appropriate weight in determining the facts of the case.
- Burden of proof: Evidence is closely tied to the burden of proof, which is the responsibility of a party to establish the truth of a particular fact.
Scope of Evidence
The scope of evidence includes various types recognized and admissible in court:
- Oral evidence: Statements made by witnesses, parties, or experts during their testimonies in court.
- Documentary evidence: Written or printed documents such as contracts, letters, records, or official papers presented to prove facts.
- Real evidence: Tangible objects or physical evidence directly related to the case, such as weapons, documents, or other items.
- Circumstantial evidence: Indirect evidence that relies on inferences drawn from facts or circumstances surrounding the case.
- Expert evidence: Testimonies provided by professionals or experts in a particular field to provide specialized knowledge or opinion relevant to the case.
- Electronic evidence: Evidence derived from digital sources, including emails, text messages, social media posts, or computer records.
