PART 22EVIDENCE
CHAPTER 1GENERAL RULES
Evidence of witnesses – general rule22
1
The general rule is that any fact which needs to be proved by the evidence of witnesses is to be proved—
a
at the final hearing, by their oral evidence; and
b
at any other hearing, by their evidence in writing.
2
The general rule does not apply—
a
to proceedings under Part 12 for secure accommodation orders, interim care orders or interim supervision orders; or
b
where an enactment, any of these rules, a practice direction or a court order provides to the contrary.
(Section 45(7) of the Children Act 1989 (emergency protection orders) is an example of an enactment which makes provision relating to the evidence that a court may take into account when hearing an application.)