Civil Evidence Act 1995

1995 CHAPTER 38

An Act to provide for the admissibility of hearsay evidence, the proof of certain documentary evidence and the admissibility and proof of official actuarial tables in civil proceedings; and for connected purposes.

[8th November 1995]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Extent Information

E1 Act extends to England and Wales, section 10 extends to Northern Ireland; the provisions of Schs. 1 and 2 are co-extensive with the enactments they amend or repeal, see s.16

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Act: applied (E.W.) (14.1.2008) by The Solicitors (Disciplinary Proceedings) Rules 2007 (S.I. 2007/3588), rule 13 (with rule 23)

Admissibility of hearsay evidence E+W+N.I.

1 Admissibility of hearsay evidence. E+W

(1) In civil proceedings evidence shall not be excluded on the ground that it is hearsay.

(2) In this Act—

(a) “hearsay” means a statement made otherwise than by a person while giving oral evidence in the proceedings which is tendered as evidence of the matters stated; and

(b) references to hearsay include hearsay of whatever degree.

(3) Nothing in this Act affects the admissibility of evidence admissible apart from this section.

(4) The provisions of sections 2 to 6 (safeguards and supplementary provisions relating to hearsay evidence) do not apply in relation to hearsay evidence admissible apart from this section, notwithstanding that it may also be admissible by virtue of this section.

Safeguards in relation to hearsay evidence E+W

2 Notice of proposal to adduce hearsay evidence. E+W

(1) A party proposing to adduce hearsay evidence in civil proceedings shall, subject to the following provisions of this section, give to the other party or parties to the proceedings—

(a) such notice (if any) of that fact, and

(b) on request, such particulars of or relating to the evidence,

as is reasonable and practicable in the circumstances for the purpose of enabling him or them to deal with any matters arising from its being hearsay.

(2) Provision may be made by rules of court—

(a) specifying classes of proceedings or evidence in relation to which subsection (1) does not apply, and

(b) as to the manner in which (including the time within which) the duties imposed by that subsection are to be complied with in the cases where it does apply.

(3) Subsection (1) may also be excluded by agreement of the parties; and compliance with the duty to give notice may in any case be waived by the person to whom notice is required to be given.

(4) A failure to comply with subsection (1), or with rules under subsection (2)(b), does not affect the admissibility of the evidence but may be taken into account by the court—

(a) in considering the exercise of its powers with respect to the course of proceedings and costs, and

(b) as a matter adversely affecting the weight to be given to the evidence in accordance with section 4.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 2 applied (24.3.2003) by Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29), ss. 46(2), 458(1); S.I. 2003/333, art. 2(1), Sch. (subject to arts. 3-14 (as amended (6.3.2003) by S.I. 2003/531, arts. 3, 4))

C3 S. 2 applied (31.12.2005) by S.I. 2005/3180, art. 10(2)

C4 S. 2 applied (1.1.2006) by S.I. 2005/3181, art. 13(2)(5)

C5 Ss. 2-4 applied by Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29), s. 47Q(2) (as inserted (22.11.2014 for specified purposes, 1.6.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), ss. 55(2), 116(1); S.I. 2014/3101, art. 3; S.I. 2015/983, art. 2(2)(a))

C6 S. 2(1) excluded (24.3.2003) by S.I. 2003/421, rule 39

3 Power to call witness for cross-examination on hearsay statement. E+W

Rules of court may provide that where a party to civil proceedings adduces hearsay evidence of a statement made by a person and does not call that person as a witness, any other party to the proceedings may, with the leave of the court, call that person as a witness and cross-examine him on the statement as if he had been called by the first-mentioned party and as if the hearsay statement were his evidence in chief.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 S. 3 applied (24.3.2003) by Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29), ss. 46(2), 458(1); S.I. 2003/333, art. 2(1), Sch. (subject to arts. 3-14 (as amended (6.3.2003) by S.I. 2003/531, arts. 3, 4))

C8 S. 3 applied (31.12.2005) by S.I. 2005/3180, art. 10(2)

C9 S. 3 applied (1.1.2006) by S.I. 2005/3181, art. 13(2)(5)

C10 S. 3 applied (prosp.) by Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29), s. 47Q(2) (as inserted by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c.26), ss. 55(2), 116(1))

4 Considerations relevant to weighing of hearsay evidence. E+W

(1) In estimating the weight (if any) to be given to hearsay evidence in civil proceedings the court shall have regard to any circumstances from which any inference can reasonably be drawn as to the reliability or otherwise of the evidence.

(2) Regard may be had, in particular, to the following—

(a) whether it would have been reasonable and practicable for the party by whom the evidence was adduced to have produced the maker of the original statement as a witness;

(b) whether the original statement was made contemporaneously with the occurrence or existence of the matters stated;

(c) whether the evidence involves multiple hearsay;

(d) whether any person involved had any motive to conceal or misrepresent matters;

(e) whether the original statement was an edited account, or was made in collaboration with another or for a particular purpose;

(f) whether the circumstances in which the evidence is adduced as hearsay are such as to suggest an attempt to prevent proper evaluation of its weight.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C11 S. 4 applied (24.3.2003) by Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29), ss. 46(2), 458(1); S.I. 2003/333, art. 2(1), Sch. (subject to arts. 3-14 (as amended (6.3.2003) by S.I. 2003/531, arts. 3, 4))

C12 S. 4 applied (31.12.2005) by S.I. 2005/3180, art. 10(2)

C13 S. 4 applied (1.1.2006) by S.I. 2005/3181, art. 13(2)(5)

C14 S. 4 applied (prosp.) by Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (c. 29), s. 47Q(2) (as inserted by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c.26), ss. 55(2), 116(1))

Supplementary provisions as to hearsay evidence E+W

5 Competence and credibility. E+W

(1) Hearsay evidence shall not be admitted in civil proceedings if or to the extent that it is shown to consist of, or to be proved by means of, a statement made by a person who at the time he made the statement was not competent as a witness.

• For this purpose “not competent as a witness” means suffering from such mental or physical infirmity, or lack of understanding, as would render a person incompetent as a witness in civil proceedings; but a child shall be treated as competent as a witness if he satisfies the requirements of section 96(2)(a) and (b) of the M1 Children Act 1989 (conditions for reception of unsworn evidence of child).

(2) Where in civil proceedings hearsay evidence is adduced and the maker of the original statement, or of any statement relied upon to prove another statement, is not called as a witness—

(a) evidence which if he had been so called would be admissible for the purpose of attacking or supporting his credibility as a witness is admissible for that purpose in the proceedings; and

(b) evidence tending to prove that, whether before or after he made the statement, he made any other statement inconsistent with it is admissible for the purpose of showing that he had contradicted himself.

Provided that evidence may not be given of any matter of which, if he had been called as a witness and had denied that matter in cross-examination, evidence could not have been adduced by the cross-examining party.

Marginal Citations

M1 1989 c. 41.

6 Previous statements of witnesses. E+W

(1) Subject as follows, the provisions of this Act as to hearsay evidence in civil proceedings apply equally (but with any necessary modifications) in relation to a previous statement made by a person called as a witness in the proceedings.

(2) A party who has called or intends to call a person as a witness in civil proceedings may not in those proceedings adduce evidence of a previous statement made by that person, except—

(a) with the leave of the court, or

(b) for the purpose of rebutting a suggestion that his evidence has been fabricated.

This shall not be construed as preventing a witness statement (that is, a written statement of oral evidence which a party to the proceedings intends to lead) from being adopted by a witness in giving evidence or treated as his evidence.

(3) Where in the case of civil proceedings section3,4 or5 of the M2 Criminal Procedure Act 1865 applies, which make provision as to—

(a) how far a witness may be discredited by the party producing him,

(b) the proof of contradictory statements made by a witness, and

(c) cross-examination as to previous statements in writing,

this Act does not authorise the adducing of evidence of a previous inconsistent or contradictory statement otherwise than in accordance with those sections.

This is without prejudice to any provision made by rules of court under section 3 above (power to call witness for cross-examination on hearsay statement).

(4) Nothing in this Act affects any of the rules of law as to the circumstances in which, where a person called as a witness in civil proceedings is cross-examined on a document used by him to refresh his memory, that document may be made evidence in the proceedings.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing a statement of any description referred to above from being admissible by virtue of section 1 as evidence of the matters stated.

Marginal Citations

M2 1865 c. 18.

7 Evidence formerly admissible at common law. E+W

(1) The common law rule effectively preserved by section 9(1) and (2)(a) of the M3 Civil Evidence Act 1968 (admissibility of admissions adverse to a party) is superseded by the provisions of this Act.

(2) The common law rules effectively preserved by section 9(1) and (2)(b) to (d) of the M4 Civil Evidence Act 1968, that is, any rule of law whereby in civil proceedings—

(a) published works dealing with matters of a public nature (for example, histories, scientific works, dictionaries and maps) are admissible as evidence of facts of a public nature stated in them,

(b) public documents (for example, public registers, and returns made under public authority with respect to matters of public interest) are admissible as evidence of facts stated in them, or

(c) records (for example, the records of certain courts, treaties, Crown grants, pardons and commissions) are admissible as evidence of facts stated in them,

shall continue to have effect.

(3) The common law rules effectively preserved by section 9(3) and (4) of the Civil Evidence Act 1968, that is, any rule of law whereby in civil proceedings—

(a) evidence of a person’s reputation is admissible for the purpose of proving his good or bad character, or

(b) evidence of reputation or family tradition is admissible—

(i) for the purpose of proving or disproving pedigree or the existence of a marriage, or

(ii) for the purpose of proving or disproving the existence of any public or general right or of identifying any person or thing,

shall continue to have effect in so far as they authorise the court to treat such evidence as proving or disproving that matter.

Where any such rule applies, reputation or family tradition shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as a fact and not as a statement or multiplicity of statements about the matter in question.

(4) The words in which a rule of law mentioned in this section is described are intended only to identify the rule and shall not be construed as altering it in any way.

Marginal Citations

M3 1968 c. 64.

M4 1968 c. 64.

Other matters E+W+N.I.

8 Proof of statements contained in documents. E+W

(1) Where a statement contained in a document is admissible as evidence in civil proceedings, it may be proved—

(a) by the production of that document, or

(b) whether or not that document is still in existence, by the production of a copy of that document or of the material part of it,

authenticated in such manner as the court may approve.

(2) It is immaterial for this purpose how many removes there are between a copy and the original.

9 Proof of records of business or public authority. E+W

(1) A document which is shown to form part of the records of a business or public authority may be received in evidence in civil proceedings without further proof.

(2) A document shall be taken to form part of the records of a business or public authority if there is produced to the court a certificate to that effect signed by an officer of the business or authority to which the records belong.

For this purpose—

(a) a document purporting to be a certificate signed by an officer of a business or public authority shall be deemed to have been duly given by such an officer and signed by him; and

(b) a certificate shall be treated as signed by a person if it purports to bear a facsimile of his signature.

(3) The absence of an entry in the records of a business or public authority may be proved in civil proceedings by affidavit of an officer of the business or authority to which the records belong.

(4) In this section—

• “records” means records in whatever form;

• “business” includes any activity regularly carried on over a period of time, whether for profit or not, by any body (whether corporate or not) or by an individual;

• “officer” includes any person occupying a responsible position in relation to the relevant activities of the business or public authority or in relation to its records; and

• “public authority” includes any public or statutory undertaking, any government department and any person holding office under Her Majesty.

(5) The court may, having regard to the circumstances of the case, direct that all or any of the above provisions of this section do not apply in relation to a particular document or record, or description of documents or records.

Prospective

[F1 10 Admissibility and proof of Ogden Tables. E+W+N.I.

(1) The actuarial tables (together with explanatory notes) for use in personal injury and fatal accident cases issued from time to time by the Government Actuary’s Department are admissible in evidence for the purpose of assessing, in an action for personal injury, the sum to be awarded as general damages for future pecuniary loss.

(2) They may be proved by the production of a copy published by Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.

(3) For the purposes of this section—

(a) “personal injury” includes any disease and any impairment of a person’s physical or mental condition; and

(b) “action for personal injury” includes an action brought by virtue of the M5 Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934 or the M6 Fatal Accidents Act 1976.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 10 repealed (prosp.) by S.I. 1997/2983 (N.I. 21), arts 1(2), 13(2), Sch. 2

Marginal Citations

M5 1934 c. 41.

M6 1976 c. 30.

General U.K.

11 Meaning of “civil proceedings”. E+W

In this Act “civil proceedings” means civil proceedings, before any tribunal, in relation to which the strict rules of evidence apply, whether as a matter of law or by agreement of the parties.

References to “the court” and “rules of court” shall be construed accordingly.

12 Provisions as to rules of court. E+W

(1) Any power to make rules of court regulating the practice or procedure of the court in relation to civil proceedings includes power to make such provision as may be necessary or expedient for carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.

(2) Any rules of court made for the purposes of this Act as it applies in relation to proceedings in the High Court apply, except in so far as their operation is excluded by agreement, to arbitration proceedings to which this Act applies, subject to such modifications as may be appropriate.

Any question arising as to what modifications are appropriate shall be determined, in default of agreement, by the arbitrator or umpire, as the case may be.

13 Interpretation. E+W

In this Act—

• “civil proceedings” has the meaning given by section 11 and “court” and “rules of court” shall be construed in accordance with that section;

• “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded, and “copy”, in relation to a document, means anything onto which information recorded in the document has been copied, by whatever means and whether directly or indirectly;

• “hearsay” shall be construed in accordance with section 1(2);

• “oral evidence” includes evidence which, by reason of a defect of speech or hearing, a person called as a witness gives in writing or by signs;

• “the original statement”, in relation to hearsay evidence, means the underlying statement (if any) by—

  (a)

  in the case of evidence of fact, a person having personal knowledge of that fact, or

  (b)

  in the case of evidence of opinion, the person whose opinion it is; and

• “statement” means any representation of fact or opinion, however made.

14 Savings. E+W

(1) Nothing in this Act affects the exclusion of evidence on grounds other than that it is hearsay.

This applies whether the evidence falls to be excluded in pursuance of any enactment or rule of law, for failure to comply with rules of court or an order of the court, or otherwise.

(2) Nothing in this Act affects the proof of documents by means other than those specified in section 8 or 9.

(3) Nothing in this Act affects the operation of the following enactments—

(a) section 2 of the M7 Documentary Evidence Act 1868 (mode of proving certain official documents);

(b) section 2 of the M8 Documentary Evidence Act 1882 (documents printed under the superintendence of Stationery Office);

(c) section 1 of the M9 Evidence (Colonial Statutes) Act 1907 (proof of statutes of certain legislatures);

(d) section 1 of the M10 Evidence (Foreign, Dominion and Colonial Documents) Act 1933 (proof and effect of registers and official certificates of certain countries);

(e) section 5 of the M11 Oaths and Evidence (Overseas Authorities and Countries) Act 1963 (provision in respect of public registers of other countries).

Marginal Citations

M7 1868 c. 37.

M8 1882 c. 9.

M9 1907 c. 16.

M10 1933 c. 4.

M11 1963 c. 27.

15 Consequential amendments and repeals. U.K.

(1) The enactments specified in Schedule 1 are amended in accordance with that Schedule, the amendments being consequential on the provisions of this Act.

(2) The enactments specified in Schedule 2 are repealed to the extent specified.

16 Short title, commencement and extent. E+W

(1) This Act may be cited as the Civil Evidence Act 1995.

(2) The provisions of this Act come into force on such day as the Lord Chancellor may appoint by order made by statutory instrument, and different days may be appointed for different provisions and for different purposes.

(3) An order under subsection (2) may contain such transitional provisions as appear to the Lord Chancellor to be appropriate; and subject to any such provision, the provisions of this Act shall not apply in relation to proceedings begun before commencement.

(4) This Act extends to England and Wales.

(5) Section 10 (admissibility and proof of Ogden Tables) also extends to Northern Ireland.

As it extends to Northern Ireland, the following shall be substituted for subsection (3)(b)—

“(b) “action for personal injury” includes an action brought by virtue of the M12 Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Act 1937 or the M13 Fatal Accidents (Northern Ireland) Order 1977.”

(6) The provisions of Schedules 1 and 2 (consequential amendments and repeals) have the same extent as the enactments respectively amended or repealed.

Subordinate Legislation Made

P1 S. 16(2) power partly exercised: 31.1.1997 appointed for specified provisions by S.I. 1996/3217, art. 2

Commencement Information

I1 S. 16 partly in force; s. 16 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 16(2); s. 16 except for s. 16(5) in force at 31.1.1997 by S.I. 1996/3217, art. 2

Marginal Citations

M12 1937 c. 9 (N.I.)

M13 S.I. 1977/1251 (N.I. 18)

SCHEDULES

Section 15(1).

SCHEDULE 1 U.K. Consequential amendments

Extent Information

E2 The provisions of Schedule 1 are co-extensive with the enactments they amend, see s. 16(6)

Army Act 1955 (c.18) U.K.

1 U.K. For section 62 of the Army Act 1955 (making of false documents) substitute—

“62 Making of false documents.

(1) A person subject to military law who—

(a) makes an official document which is to his knowledge false in a material particular, or

(b) makes in any official document an entry which is to his knowledge false in a material particular, or

(c) tampers with the whole or any part of an official document (whether by altering it, destroying it, suppressing it, removing it or otherwise), or

(d) with intent to deceive, fails to make an entry in an official document,

is liable on conviction by court-martial to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or any less punishment provided by this Act.

(2) For the purposes of this section—

(a) a document is official if it is or is likely to be made use of, in connection with the performance of his functions as such, by a person who holds office under, or is in the service of, the Crown; and

(b) a person who has signed or otherwise adopted as his own a document made by another shall be treated, as well as that other, as the maker of the document.

(3) In this section “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded.”.

Air Force Act 1955 (c.19) U.K.

2 U.K. For section 62 of the Air Force Act 1955 (making of false documents) substitute—

“62 Making of false documents.

(1) A person subject to air-force law who—

(a) makes an official document which is to his knowledge false in a material particular, or

(b) makes in any official document an entry which is to his knowledge false in a material particular, or

(c) tampers with the whole or any part of an official document (whether by altering it, destroying it, suppressing it, removing it or otherwise), or

(d) with intent to deceive, fails to make an entry in an official document,

is liable on conviction by court-martial to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or any less punishment provided by this Act.

(2) For the purposes of this section—

(a) a document is official if it is or is likely to be made use of, in connection with the performance of his functions as such, by a person who holds office under, or is in the service of, the Crown; and

(b) a person who has signed or otherwise adopted as his own a document made by another shall be treated, as well as that other, as the maker of the document.

(3) In this section “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded.”.

Naval Discipline Act 1957 (c.53) U.K.

3 U.K. For section 35 of the Naval Discipline Act 1957 (making of false documents) substitute—

“35 Falsification of documents.

(1) A person subject to this Act who—

(a) makes an official document which is to his knowledge false in a material particular, or

(b) makes in any official document an entry which is to his knowledge false in a material particular, or

(c) tampers with the whole or any part of an official document (whether by altering it, destroying it, suppressing it, removing it or otherwise), or

(d) with intent to deceive, fails to make an entry in an official document,

is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or any less punishment authorised by this Act.

(2) For the purposes of this section—

(a) a document is official if it is or is likely to be made use of, in connection with the performance of his functions as such, by a person who holds office under, or is in the service of, the Crown; and

(b) a person who has signed or otherwise adopted as his own a document made by another shall be treated, as well as that other, as the maker of the document.

(3) In this section “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded.”.

Gaming Act 1968 (c.65) E+W+S

4 In section 43 of the Gaming Act 1968 (powers of inspectors and related provisions), for subsection (11) substitute—

“(11) In this section—

• “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded, and

• “copy”, in relation to a document, means anything onto which information recorded in the document has been copied, by whatever means and whether directly or indirectly.”.

Vehicle and Driving Licences Act 1969 (c.27) E+W+S

5 (1) Section 27 of the Vehicle and Driving Licences Act 1969 (admissibility of records as evidence) is amended as follows. E+W+S

(2) For subsection (2) substitute—

“(2) In subsection (1) of this section—

• “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded;

• “copy”, in relation to a document, means anything onto which information recorded in the document has been copied, by whatever means and whether directly or indirectly; and

• “statement” means any representation of fact, however made.”.

(3) In subsection (4)(b), for the words from “for the references” to the end substitute “ for the definitions of ’ “ document”, “copy” and “statement” there were substituted “document” and “statement” have the same meanings as in section 17(3) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1968, and the reference to a copy of a document shall be construed in accordance with section 17(4) of that Act, but nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as limiting to civil proceedings the references to proceedings in subsection (1)’. ”.

Taxes Management Act 1970 (c.9) E+W

6 In section 20D of the Taxes Management Act 1970 (interpretation of ss.20 to 20CC), for subsection (3) substitute—

“(3) Without prejudice to section 127 of the Finance Act 1988, in sections 20 to 20CC above “document” means, subject to sections 20(8C) and 20A(1A), anything in which information of any description is recorded.”.

Civil Evidence Act 1972 (c.30) E+W

7 (1) Section 5 of the Civil Evidence Act 1972 (interpretation and application of Act) is amended as follows. E+W

(2) For subsection (1) (meaning of “civil proceedings” and “court”) substitute—

“(1) In this Act “civil proceedings” means civil proceedings, before any tribunal, in relation to which the strict rules of evidence apply, whether as a matter of law or by agreement of the parties; and references to “the court” shall be construed accordingly.”.

(3) For subsection (2) (application of High Court or county court rules to certain other civil proceedings) substitute—

“(2) The rules of court made for the purposes of the application of sections 2 and 4 of this Act to proceedings in the High Court apply, except in so far as their application is excluded by agreement, to proceedings before tribunals other than the ordinary courts of law, subject to such modifications as may be appropriate.

Any question arising as to what modifications are appropriate shall be determined, in default of agreement, by the tribunal.”.

International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs Act 1976 (c.58) U.K.

8 U.K. In section 15 of the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs Act 1976 (admissibility of records as evidence), for subsection (2) substitute—

“(2) In this section as it has effect in England and Wales—

• “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded;

• “copy”, in relation to a document, means anything onto which information recorded in the document has been copied, by whatever means and whether directly or indirectly; and

• “statement” means any representation of fact, however made.

(2A) In this section as it has effect in Scotland, “document” and “statement” have the same meanings as in section 17(3) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1968, and the reference to a copy of a document shall be construed in accordance with section 17(4) of that Act.

(2B) In this section as it has effect in Northern Ireland, “document” and “statement” have the same meanings as in section 6(1) of the Civil Evidence Act (Northern Ireland) 1971, and the reference to a copy of a document shall be construed in accordance with section 6(2) of that Act.

(2C) Nothing in subsection (2A) or (2B) above shall be construed as limiting to civil proceedings the references to proceedings in subsection (1) above.”.

Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (c.60) U.K.

9 (1) The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 is amended as follows. U.K.

(2) In section 72(1) (interpretation of provisions relating to documentary evidence), for the definition of “copy” and “statement” substitute—

““copy”, in relation to a document, means anything onto which information recorded in the document has been copied, by whatever means and whether directly or indirectly, and “statement” means any representation of fact, however made; and”.

(3) In section 118(1) (general interpretation), in the definition of “document”, for “has the same meaning as in Part I of the Civil Evidence Act 1968” substitute “ means anything in which information of any description is recorded. ”.

Companies Act 1985 (c.6) E+W+S

10 In section 709 of the Companies Act 1985 (inspection, &c. of records kept by registrar), in subsection (3) (use in evidence of certified copy or extract), for the words from “In England and Wales” to the end substitute—

“In England and Wales this is subject, in the case of proceedings to which section 69 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 applies, to compliance with any applicable rules of court under subsection (2) of that section (which relates to evidence from computer records).”.

Finance Act 1985 (c.54) U.K.

11 (1) Section 10 of the Finance Act 1985 (production of computer records, &c.) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1) (general scope of powers conferred in relation to assigned matters within meaning of Customs and Excise Management Act 1979), for the words from “were a reference” to the end substitute “ were a reference to anything in which information of any description is recorded and any reference to a copy of a document were a reference to anything onto which information recorded in the document has been copied, by whatever means and whether directly or indirectly ”.

(3) In subsection (3) (documents within powers conferred by subsection (2)), for the words “, within the meaning of Part I of the Civil Evidence Act 1968,” substitute “ , within the meaning given by subsection (1) above, ”.

(4) In subsection (5) (scope of offences relating to false documents, &c.), for “the same meaning as in Part I of the Civil Evidence Act 1968” substitute “ the meaning given by subsection (1) above ”.

(5) Omit subsection (7) (adaptation of references to Civil Evidence Act 1968).

Criminal Justice Act 1988 (c.33) U.K.

12 In Schedule 2 to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (supplementary provisions as to documentary evidence), for paragraph 5 (application of interpretation provisions) substitute—

“5 (1) In Part II of this Act—

• “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded;

• “copy”, in relation to a document, means anything onto which information recorded in the document has been copied, by whatever means and whether directly or indirectly; and

• “statement” means any representation of fact, however made.

(2) For the purposes of Part II of this Act evidence which, by reason of a defect of speech or hearing, a person called as a witness gives in writing or by signs shall be treated as given orally.”.

Finance Act 1988 (c.39) U.K.

13 (1) Section 127 of the Finance Act 1988 (production of computer records, &c.) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1) (general scope of powers conferred by or under Taxes Acts), for the words from “were a reference” to the end substitute “ were a reference to anything in which information of any description is recorded and any reference to a copy of a document were a reference to anything onto which information recorded in the document has been copied, by whatever means and whether directly or indirectly ”.

(3) In subsection (3) (documents within powers conferred by subsection (2)), for the words “, within the meaning of Part I of the Civil Evidence Act 1968,” substitute “ , within the meaning given by subsection (1) above, ”.

(4) Omit subsection (5) (adaptation of references to Civil Evidence Act 1968).

Housing Act 1988 (c.50) E+W

14 E+W In section 97 of the Housing Act 1988 (information, &c. for applicant), for subsection (4) substitute—

“(4) In this section “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded; and in relation to a document in which information is recorded otherwise than in legible form any reference to sight of the document is to sight of the information in legible form.”.

Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (c.53) E+W+S

15 E+W+S In section 13 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (admissibility of records as evidence), for subsection (3) substitute—

“(3) In the preceding subsections, except in Scotland—

• “copy”, in relation to a document, means anything onto which information recorded in the document has been copied, by whatever means and whether directly or indirectly;

• “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded; and

• “statement” means any representation of fact, however made.

(3A) In Scotland, in the preceding subsections “document” and “statement” have the same meanings as in section 17(3) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1968, and the reference to a copy of a document shall be construed in accordance with section 17(4) of that Act; but nothing in this subsection shall be construed as limiting to civil proceedings the references to proceedings in subsection (2) above.”.

Children Act 1989 (c.41) E+W

16 E+W In section 96(7) of the Children Act 1989 (evidence given by, or with respect to, children: interpretation), for the definition of “civil proceedings” and “court” substitute—

““civil proceedings” means civil proceedings, before any tribunal, in relation to which the strict rules of evidence apply, whether as a matter of law or by agreement of the parties, and references to “the court” shall be construed accordingly;”.

Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (c.28) E+W

17 E+W In section 11(9) of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (right of qualifying tenant to certain information: interpretation), for the definition of “document” substitute—

““document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded, and in relation to a document in which information is recorded otherwise than in legible form any reference to sight of the document is to sight of the information in legible form;”.

Finance Act 1993 (c.34) U.K.

18 In Schedule 21 to the Finance Act 1993 (oil taxation: supplementary provisions as to information), in paragraph 14(1) (meaning of “document”), for the words from “has the same meaning” to the end substitute “ means anything in which information of any description is recorded ”.

Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (c.22) U.K.

19 U.K. In section 52 of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (admissibility of records as evidence), for subsections (3) to (5) substitute—

“(3) In this section as it has effect in England and Wales—

• “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded;

• “copy”, in relation to a document, means anything onto which information recorded in the document has been copied, by whatever means and whether directly or indirectly; and

• “statement” means any representation of fact, however made.

(4) In this section as it has effect in Scotland, “document” and “statement” have the same meanings as in section 17(3) of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1968, and the reference to a copy of a document shall be construed in accordance with section 17(4) of that Act.

(5) In this section as it has effect in Northern Ireland, “document” and “statement” have the same meanings as in section 6(1) of the Civil Evidence Act (Northern Ireland) 1971, and the reference to a copy of a document shall be construed in accordance with section 6(2) of that Act.

(6) Nothing in subsection (4) or (5) limits to civil proceedings the references to proceedings in subsection (1).”.

Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c.23) U.K.

20 U.K. In section 96(1) of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (general interpretative provisions), at the appropriate places insert—

• “document” means anything in which information of any description is recorded; and

• “copy”, in relation to a document, means anything onto which information recorded in the document has been copied, by whatever means and whether directly or indirectly.

Section 15(2).

SCHEDULE 2 U.K. Repeals

Extent Information

E3 The provisions of Schedule 2 are co-extensive with the enactments they repeal, see s.16(6)

Chapter	Short title	Extent of repeal
1938 c. 28.	Evidence Act 1938.	Sections 1 and 2. Section 6(1) except the words from “Proceedings” to “references”. Section 6(2)(b).
1968 c. 64.	Civil Evidence Act 1968.	Part I.
1971 c. 33.	Armed Forces Act 1971.	Section 26.
1972 c. 30.	Civil Evidence Act 1972.	Section 1. Section 2(1) and (2). In section 2(3)(b), the words from “by virtue of section 2” to “out-of-court statements)”. In section 3(1), the words “Part I of the Civil Evidence Act 1968 or”. In section 6(3), the words “1 and”, in both places where they occur.
1975 c. 63.	Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.	Section 21.
1979 c. 2.	Customs and Excise Management Act 1979.	Section 75A(6)(a). Section 118A(6)(a).
1980 c. 43.	Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980.	In Schedule 7, paragraph 75.
1984 c. 28.	County Courts Act 1984.	In Schedule 2, paragraphs 33 and 34.
1985 c. 54.	Finance Act 1985.	Section 10(7).
1986 c. 21.	Armed Forces Act 1986.	Section 3.
1988 c. 39.	Finance Act 1988.	Section 127(5).
1990 c. 26.	Gaming (Amendment) Act 1990.	In the Schedule, paragraph 2(7).
1994 c. 9.	Finance Act 1994.	Section 22(2)(a). In Schedule 7, paragraph 1(6)(a).
1994 c. 23.	Value Added Tax Act 1994.	Section 96(6) and (7). In Schedule 11, paragraph 6(6)(a).
1995 c. 4.	Finance Act 1995.	In Schedule 4, paragraph 38.