S. 53 applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083), arts. 1, 9, 10

S. 54(1)-(3) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083), arts. 1, 9, 10

S. 54(4) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083), arts. 1, 9, 10

S. 54(5) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083), arts. 1, 9, 10

S. 54(6) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083), arts. 1, 9, 10

S. 55(1)-(4) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083), arts. 1, 9, 10

S. 55(5) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083), arts. 1, 9, 10

S. 55(6)-(8) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083), arts. 1, 9, 10

S. 56(1)-(4) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083), arts. 1, 9, 10

S. 56(5) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083), arts. 1, 9, 10

S. 57 applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083), arts. 1, 9, 10

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1999/23/part/II/chapter/VYouth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999An Act to provide for the referral of offenders under 18 to youth offender panels; to make provision in connection with the giving of evidence or information for the purposes of criminal proceedings; to amend section 51 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994; to make pre-consolidation amendments relating to youth justice; and for connected purposes.1999-08-06texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2024-12-06Expert Participation2024-11-27Part II Giving of evidence or information for purposes of criminal proceedingsChapter V Competence of witnesses and capacity to be sworn Competence of witnesses
53 Competence of witnesses to give evidence.(1)

At every stage in criminal proceedings all persons are (whatever their age) competent to give evidence.

(2)

Subsection (1) has effect subject to subsections (3) and (4).

(3)

A person is not competent to give evidence in criminal proceedings if it appears to the court that he is not a person who is able to—

(a)

understand questions put to him as a witness, and

(b)

give answers to them which can be understood.

(4)

A person charged in criminal proceedings is not competent to give evidence in the proceedings for the prosecution (whether he is the only person, or is one of two or more persons, charged in the proceedings).

(5)

In subsection (4) the reference to a person charged in criminal proceedings does not include a person who is not, or is no longer, liable to be convicted of any offence in the proceedings (whether as a result of pleading guilty or for any other reason).

54 Determining competence of witnesses.(1)

Any question whether a witness in criminal proceedings is competent to give evidence in the proceedings, whether raised—

(a)

by a party to the proceedings, or

(b)

by the court of its own motion,

shall be determined by the court in accordance with this section.

(2)

It is for the party calling the witness to satisfy the court that, on a balance of probabilities, the witness is competent to give evidence in the proceedings.

(3)

In determining the question mentioned in subsection (1) the court shall treat the witness as having the benefit of any directions under section 19 which the court has given, or proposes to give, in relation to the witness.

(4)

Any proceedings held for the determination of the question shall take place in the absence of the jury (if there is one).

(5)

Expert evidence may be received on the question.

(6)

Any questioning of the witness (where the court considers that necessary) shall be conducted by the court in the presence of the parties.

Giving of sworn or unsworn evidence
55 Determining whether witness to be sworn.(1)

Any question whether a witness in criminal proceedings may be sworn for the purpose of giving evidence on oath, whether raised—

(a)

by a party to the proceedings, or

(b)

by the court of its own motion,

shall be determined by the court in accordance with this section.

(2)

The witness may not be sworn for that purpose unless—

(a)

he has attained the age of 14, and

(b)

he has a sufficient appreciation of the solemnity of the occasion and of the particular responsibility to tell the truth which is involved in taking an oath.

(3)

The witness shall, if he is able to give intelligible testimony, be presumed to have a sufficient appreciation of those matters if no evidence tending to show the contrary is adduced (by any party).

(4)

If any such evidence is adduced, it is for the party seeking to have the witness sworn to satisfy the court that, on a balance of probabilities, the witness has attained the age of 14 and has a sufficient appreciation of the matters mentioned in subsection (2)(b).

(5)

Any proceedings held for the determination of the question mentioned in subsection (1) shall take place in the absence of the jury (if there is one).

(6)

Expert evidence may be received on the question.

(7)

Any questioning of the witness (where the court considers that necessary) shall be conducted by the court in the presence of the parties.

(8)

For the purposes of this section a person is able to give intelligible testimony if he is able to—

(a)

understand questions put to him as a witness, and

(b)

give answers to them which can be understood.

56 Reception of unsworn evidence.(1)

Subsections (2) and (3) apply to a person (of any age) who—

(a)

is competent to give evidence in criminal proceedings, but

(b)

(by virtue of section 55(2)) is not permitted to be sworn for the purpose of giving evidence on oath in such proceedings.

(2)

The evidence in criminal proceedings of a person to whom this subsection applies shall be given unsworn.

(3)

A deposition of unsworn evidence given by a person to whom this subsection applies may be taken for the purposes of criminal proceedings as if that evidence had been given on oath.

(4)

A court in criminal proceedings shall accordingly receive in evidence any evidence given unsworn in pursuance of subsection (2) or (3).

(5)

Where a person (“the witness”) who is competent to give evidence in criminal proceedings gives evidence in such proceedings unsworn, no conviction, verdict or finding in those proceedings shall be taken to be unsafe for the purposes of any of sections 2(1), 13(1) and 16(1) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 (grounds for allowing appeals) by reason only that it appears to the Court of Appeal that the witness was a person falling within section 55(2) (and should accordingly have given his evidence on oath).

57 Penalty for giving false unsworn evidence.(1)

This section applies where a person gives unsworn evidence in criminal proceedings in pursuance of section 56(2) or (3).

(2)

If such a person wilfully gives false evidence in such circumstances that, had the evidence been given on oath, he would have been guilty of perjury, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to—

(a)

imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or

(b)

a fine not exceeding £1,000,

or both.

(3)

In relation to a person under the age of 14, subsection (2) shall have effect as if for the words following “on summary conviction” there were substituted “ to a fine not exceeding £250 ”.

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<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="C" class="commentary C" eId="key-79fdf23103783866be1b165adfdc0ee8" marker="C1">
<p>
S. 53 applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00397" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083">The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083)</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00398" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/1">arts. 1</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00399" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/9">9</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00400" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/10">10</ref>
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="C" class="commentary C" eId="key-9eb2ec47d24930dee1ebe64f56f98eaa" marker="C2">
<p>
S. 54(1)-(3) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00644" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083">The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083)</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00645" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/1">arts. 1</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00646" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/9">9</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00647" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/10">10</ref>
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="C" class="commentary C" eId="key-2e726f19a15f6a326cf5a854d1165c83" marker="C3">
<p>
S. 54(4) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00509" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083">The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083)</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00510" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/1">arts. 1</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00511" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/9">9</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00512" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/10">10</ref>
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="C" class="commentary C" eId="key-4cecb37e268c2151d5f9325b7e87cc77" marker="C4">
<p>
S. 54(5) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00520" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083">The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083)</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00521" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/1">arts. 1</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00522" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/9">9</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00523" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/10">10</ref>
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="C" class="commentary C" eId="key-7cbd54dabcd78492335da28862f11c4c" marker="C5">
<p>
S. 54(6) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00531" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083">The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083)</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00532" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/1">arts. 1</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00533" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/9">9</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00534" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/10">10</ref>
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="C" class="commentary C" eId="key-2de1b8802e254c8287900e69c7611447" marker="C6">
<p>
S. 55(1)-(4) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00655" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083">The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083)</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00656" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/1">arts. 1</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00657" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/9">9</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00658" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/10">10</ref>
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="C" class="commentary C" eId="key-239bf11b2a3f17dcedf4dc9ade6362cb" marker="C7">
<p>
S. 55(5) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00542" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083">The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083)</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00543" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/1">arts. 1</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00544" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/9">9</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00545" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/10">10</ref>
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="C" class="commentary C" eId="key-485216abec38c9719ab3e2f78a0b467e" marker="C8">
<p>
S. 55(6)-(8) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00666" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083">The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083)</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00667" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/1">arts. 1</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00668" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/9">9</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00669" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/10">10</ref>
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="C" class="commentary C" eId="key-684c63aebaa7b2a460a11f202895202f" marker="C9">
<p>
S. 56(1)-(4) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00677" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083">The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083)</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00678" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/1">arts. 1</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00679" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/9">9</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00680" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/10">10</ref>
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="C" class="commentary C" eId="key-23b3aab762a78c3fa5a97e7d5290cb98" marker="C10">
<p>
S. 56(5) applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00553" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083">The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083)</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00554" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/1">arts. 1</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00555" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/9">9</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00556" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/10">10</ref>
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="C" class="commentary C" eId="key-e9be8bdce4af6e019d7549c4f4550156" marker="C11">
<p>
S. 57 applied (with modifications) (31.10.2009) by
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00408" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083">The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 (Application to Service Courts) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/2083)</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00409" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/1">arts. 1</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00410" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/9">9</ref>
,
<ref eId="cbmat1mb3-00411" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2009/2083/article/10">10</ref>
</p>
</note>
</notes>
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<dc:identifier>http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1999/23/part/II/chapter/V</dc:identifier>
<dc:title>Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999</dc:title>
<dc:description>An Act to provide for the referral of offenders under 18 to youth offender panels; to make provision in connection with the giving of evidence or information for the purposes of criminal proceedings; to amend section 51 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994; to make pre-consolidation amendments relating to youth justice; and for connected purposes.</dc:description>
<dc:date>1999-08-06</dc:date>
<dc:type>text</dc:type>
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<dc:language>en</dc:language>
<dc:publisher>Statute Law Database</dc:publisher>
<dc:modified>2024-12-06</dc:modified>
<dc:contributor>Expert Participation</dc:contributor>
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<ukm:Year Value="1999"/>
<ukm:Number Value="23"/>
<ukm:EnactmentDate Date="1999-07-27"/>
<ukm:ISBN Value="0105423998"/>
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<ukm:Alternative Date="2008-03-02" URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1999/23/pdfs/ukpga_19990023_en.pdf" Title="Print Version"/>
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<body eId="body">
<part eId="part-II">
<num>Part II</num>
<heading> Giving of evidence or information for purposes of criminal proceedings</heading>
<chapter eId="part-II-chapter-V" uk:target="true">
<num>Chapter V</num>
<heading> Competence of witnesses and capacity to be sworn</heading>
<hcontainer name="crossheading" ukl:Name="Pblock" eId="part-II-chapter-V-crossheading-competence-of-witnesses">
<heading> Competence of witnesses</heading>
<section eId="section-53">
<num>53</num>
<heading> Competence of witnesses to give evidence.</heading>
<subsection eId="section-53-1">
<num>(1)</num>
<content>
<p>At every stage in criminal proceedings all persons are (whatever their age) competent to give evidence.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-53-2">
<num>(2)</num>
<content>
<p>Subsection (1) has effect subject to subsections (3) and (4).</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-53-3">
<num>(3)</num>
<intro>
<p>A person is not competent to give evidence in criminal proceedings if it appears to the court that he is not a person who is able to—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-53-3-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>understand questions put to him as a witness, and</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-53-3-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>give answers to them which can be understood.</p>
</content>
</level>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-53-4">
<num>(4)</num>
<content>
<p>A person charged in criminal proceedings is not competent to give evidence in the proceedings for the prosecution (whether he is the only person, or is one of two or more persons, charged in the proceedings).</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-53-5">
<num>(5)</num>
<content>
<p>In subsection (4) the reference to a person charged in criminal proceedings does not include a person who is not, or is no longer, liable to be convicted of any offence in the proceedings (whether as a result of pleading guilty or for any other reason).</p>
</content>
</subsection>
</section>
<section eId="section-54">
<num>54</num>
<heading> Determining competence of witnesses.</heading>
<subsection eId="section-54-1">
<num>(1)</num>
<intro>
<p>Any question whether a witness in criminal proceedings is competent to give evidence in the proceedings, whether raised—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-54-1-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>by a party to the proceedings, or</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-54-1-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>by the court of its own motion,</p>
</content>
</level>
<wrapUp>
<p>shall be determined by the court in accordance with this section.</p>
</wrapUp>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-54-2">
<num>(2)</num>
<content>
<p>It is for the party calling the witness to satisfy the court that, on a balance of probabilities, the witness is competent to give evidence in the proceedings.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-54-3">
<num>(3)</num>
<content>
<p>In determining the question mentioned in subsection (1) the court shall treat the witness as having the benefit of any directions under section 19 which the court has given, or proposes to give, in relation to the witness.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-54-4">
<num>(4)</num>
<content>
<p>Any proceedings held for the determination of the question shall take place in the absence of the jury (if there is one).</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-54-5">
<num>(5)</num>
<content>
<p>Expert evidence may be received on the question.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-54-6">
<num>(6)</num>
<content>
<p>Any questioning of the witness (where the court considers that necessary) shall be conducted by the court in the presence of the parties.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
</section>
</hcontainer>
<hcontainer name="crossheading" ukl:Name="Pblock" eId="part-II-chapter-V-crossheading-giving-of-sworn-or-unsworn-evidence">
<heading> Giving of sworn or unsworn evidence</heading>
<section eId="section-55">
<num>55</num>
<heading> Determining whether witness to be sworn.</heading>
<subsection eId="section-55-1">
<num>(1)</num>
<intro>
<p>Any question whether a witness in criminal proceedings may be sworn for the purpose of giving evidence on oath, whether raised—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-55-1-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>by a party to the proceedings, or</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-55-1-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>by the court of its own motion,</p>
</content>
</level>
<wrapUp>
<p>shall be determined by the court in accordance with this section.</p>
</wrapUp>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-55-2">
<num>(2)</num>
<intro>
<p>The witness may not be sworn for that purpose unless—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-55-2-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>he has attained the age of 14, and</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-55-2-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>he has a sufficient appreciation of the solemnity of the occasion and of the particular responsibility to tell the truth which is involved in taking an oath.</p>
</content>
</level>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-55-3">
<num>(3)</num>
<content>
<p>The witness shall, if he is able to give intelligible testimony, be presumed to have a sufficient appreciation of those matters if no evidence tending to show the contrary is adduced (by any party).</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-55-4">
<num>(4)</num>
<content>
<p>If any such evidence is adduced, it is for the party seeking to have the witness sworn to satisfy the court that, on a balance of probabilities, the witness has attained the age of 14 and has a sufficient appreciation of the matters mentioned in subsection (2)(b).</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-55-5">
<num>(5)</num>
<content>
<p>Any proceedings held for the determination of the question mentioned in subsection (1) shall take place in the absence of the jury (if there is one).</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-55-6">
<num>(6)</num>
<content>
<p>Expert evidence may be received on the question.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-55-7">
<num>(7)</num>
<content>
<p>Any questioning of the witness (where the court considers that necessary) shall be conducted by the court in the presence of the parties.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-55-8">
<num>(8)</num>
<intro>
<p>For the purposes of this section a person is able to give intelligible testimony if he is able to—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-55-8-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>understand questions put to him as a witness, and</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-55-8-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>give answers to them which can be understood.</p>
</content>
</level>
</subsection>
</section>
<section eId="section-56">
<num>56</num>
<heading> Reception of unsworn evidence.</heading>
<subsection eId="section-56-1">
<num>(1)</num>
<intro>
<p>Subsections (2) and (3) apply to a person (of any age) who—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-56-1-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>is competent to give evidence in criminal proceedings, but</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-56-1-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>(by virtue of section 55(2)) is not permitted to be sworn for the purpose of giving evidence on oath in such proceedings.</p>
</content>
</level>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-56-2">
<num>(2)</num>
<content>
<p>The evidence in criminal proceedings of a person to whom this subsection applies shall be given unsworn.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-56-3">
<num>(3)</num>
<content>
<p>A deposition of unsworn evidence given by a person to whom this subsection applies may be taken for the purposes of criminal proceedings as if that evidence had been given on oath.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-56-4">
<num>(4)</num>
<content>
<p>A court in criminal proceedings shall accordingly receive in evidence any evidence given unsworn in pursuance of subsection (2) or (3).</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-56-5">
<num>(5)</num>
<content>
<p>
Where a person (“
<term refersTo="#term-the-witness" eId="term-the-witness">the witness</term>
”) who is competent to give evidence in criminal proceedings gives evidence in such proceedings unsworn, no conviction, verdict or finding in those proceedings shall be taken to be unsafe for the purposes of any of sections 2(1), 13(1) and 16(1) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 (grounds for allowing appeals) by reason only that it appears to the Court of Appeal that the witness was a person falling within section 55(2) (and should accordingly have given his evidence on oath).
</p>
</content>
</subsection>
</section>
<section eId="section-57">
<num>57</num>
<heading> Penalty for giving false unsworn evidence.</heading>
<subsection eId="section-57-1">
<num>(1)</num>
<content>
<p>This section applies where a person gives unsworn evidence in criminal proceedings in pursuance of section 56(2) or (3).</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-57-2">
<num>(2)</num>
<intro>
<p>If such a person wilfully gives false evidence in such circumstances that, had the evidence been given on oath, he would have been guilty of perjury, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-57-2-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-57-2-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>a fine not exceeding £1,000,</p>
</content>
</level>
<wrapUp>
<p>or both.</p>
</wrapUp>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-57-3">
<num>(3)</num>
<content>
<p>
<mod>
In relation to a person under the age of 14, subsection (2) shall have effect as if for the words following “on summary conviction” there were substituted
<quotedText>“ to a fine not exceeding £250 ”</quotedText>
.
</mod>
</p>
</content>
</subsection>
</section>
</hcontainer>
</chapter>
</part>
</body>
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