Legal Dictionary of Pakistan
Quick lookup for English, Urdu, and Latin legal terms used in Pakistani jurisprudence.
Surprise
An occurrence for which there is no adequate warning or that affects someone in an unexpected way. ( In a trial, the procedural rules are designed to limit surprise - or trial by ambush - as much as possible. For example, the parties in a civil case are permitted to conduct discovery, to determine the essential facts of the case and the identities of possible witnesses, and to inspect relevant documents. At trial, if a party calls a witness who has not been previously identified, the witness's testimony may be excluded if it would unfairly surprise and prejudice the. other party. And if a party has diligently prepared the case and is nevertheless taken by surprise on a material point at trial, that fact can sometimes be grounds for a new trial or for, relief from the judgment under Rules 59 and 60 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
unfair surprise
A situation in which a party, having had no notice of some action or proffered evidence, is unprepared to answer or refute it.