Order of examinations.

What this section does

Witnesses must be examined-in-chief first, then cross-examined if the adverse party desires, then re-examined if the calling party desires. While examination-in-chief and cross-examination must relate to relevant facts, cross-examination is not confined to matters raised in examination-in-chief. Re-examination is limited to explaining matters arising in cross-examination, though new matter may be introduced with the Court's permission, attracting a further right of cross-examination.

AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).

The rule in one line

Cross-examination may range beyond examination-in-chief; re-examination is confined to explaining cross-examination matters.

When it applies

• A witness examined-in-chief only about a contract date may be cross-examined about the parties' prior dealings, as cross-examination is not confined to examination-in-chief topics.
• If re-examination introduces a new fact with the Court's leave, the adverse party may cross-examine the witness on that new fact.

Derived from IEA s.138.