Legal Dictionary of Pakistan

Quick lookup for English, Urdu, and Latin legal terms used in Pakistani jurisprudence.

Testimony

n. Evidence that a competent witness under oath or affirmation gives at trial or in an affidavit or deposition. - Also termed personal evidence. - testimonial, adj.

affirmative testimony

Testimony about whether something occurred or did not occur, based on what the witness saw or heard at the time and place in question. - Also termed positive testimony. See direct evidence under EVIDENCE.

arresting the suspect. ( Such testimony may be given when an arrest has been made without probable cause, as when illegal substances have been found through an improper search. expert testimony

See expert evidence under EVIDENCE.

bill to perpetuate testimony.

See BILL (2)

bill to take testimony de bene esse

A bill brought to take testimony pertinent to pending litigation from a witness who may be unavailable at the time of trial.

bill to take testimony de bene esse.

See BILL (2).

cumulative testimony

Identical or similar testimony by more than one witness, and usu. by several, offered by a party usu. to impress the jury with the apparent weight of proof on that party's side. ( The trial court typically limits cumulative testimony.

dropsy testimony

A police officer's false testimony that a fleeing suspect dropped an illegal substance that was then confiscated by the police and used as probable cause for

expert testimony

See expert evidence under EVIDENCE.

false testimony

Testimony that is untrue. ( This term is broader than perjury, which has a state-of-mind element. Unlike perjury, false testimony does not denote a crime. - Also termed false evidence.

interpreted testimony

Testimony translated because the witness cannot communicate in the language of the tribunal.

lay opinion testimony

Evidence given by a witness who is not qualified as an expert but who testifies to opinions or inferences. ( In federal court, the admissibility of this testimony is limited to opinions or inferences that are rationally based on the witness's perception and that will be helpful to a clear understanding of the witness's testimony or the determination of a fact in issue. Fed. R. Evid. 701.

mediate testimony

See secondary evidence under EVIDENCE.

negative testimony

See negative evidence under EVIDENCE.

nonverbal testimony

A photograph, drawing, map, chart, or other depiction used to aid a witness in testifying. ( The witness need not have made it, but it must accurately represent something that the witness saw. See demonstrative evidence under EVIDENCE.

opinion testimony

Testimony based on one's belief or idea rather than on direct knowledge of the facts at issue. ( Opinion testimony from either a lay witness or an expert witness may be allowed in evidence under certain conditions. See opinion evidence under EVIDENCE.

perpetuating testimony

The means or procedure for preserving for future use witness testimony that might otherwise be unavailable at trial.

positive testimony

See affirmative testimony under TESTIMONY.

privilege against adverse spousal testimony

See marital privilege (2).

testimony de bene esse

Testimony taken because it is in danger of being lost before it can be given at a trial or hearing, usu. because of the impending death or departure of the witness. ( Such testimony is taken in aid of a pending lawsuit, while testimony taken under a bill to perpetuate testimony is taken in anticipation of future litigation. See deposition de bene esse under DEPOSITION.

written testimony

1 Testimony given out of court by deposition. ( The recorded writing, signed by the witness, is considered testimony. 2. In some administrative agencies and