Evidence Act 1905
Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia
Evidence Act 1905
No. 4, 1905
Compilation No. 5
Compilation date: 18 April 1995
Includes amendments up to: Act No. 3, 1995
Registered: 25 January 2023
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Evidence Act 1905 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 18 April 1995 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Editorial changes
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.
Self‑repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
An Act relating to the Law of Evidence
Note: Endnotes
Note: Endnote 1—About the endnotes
The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.
The following endnotes are included in every compilation:
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Abbreviation key—Endnote 2
The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.
Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4
Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.
The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.
The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.
Editorial changes
The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.
If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
Misdescribed amendments
A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.
If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.
Note: Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
| ad = added or inserted | o = order(s) |
|---|---|
| am = amended | Ord = Ordinance |
| amdt = amendment | orig = original |
| c = clause(s) | par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s) |
| C[x] = Compilation No. x | /sub‑subparagraph(s) |
| Ch = Chapter(s) | pres = present |
| def = definition(s) | prev = previous |
| Dict = Dictionary | (prev…) = previously |
| disallowed = disallowed by Parliament | Pt = Part(s) |
| Div = Division(s) | r = regulation(s)/rule(s) |
| ed = editorial change | reloc = relocated |
| exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have | renum = renumbered |
| effect | rep = repealed |
| F = Federal Register of Legislation | rs = repealed and substituted |
| gaz = gazette | s = section(s)/subsection(s) |
| LA = Legislation Act 2003 | Sch = Schedule(s) |
| LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003 | Sdiv = Subdivision(s) |
| (md) = misdescribed amendment can be given | SLI = Select Legislative Instrument |
| effect | SR = Statutory Rules |
| (md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment | Sub‑Ch = Sub‑Chapter(s) |
| cannot be given effect | SubPt = Subpart(s) |
| mod = modified/modification | underlining = whole or part not |
| No. = Number(s) | commenced or to be commenced |
Note: Endnote 3—Legislation history
| Act | Number and year | Assent | Commencement | Application, saving and transitional provisions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence Act 1905 | 4, 1905 | 25 Aug 1905 | 25 Aug 1905 | |
| Evidence Act 1934 | 43, 1934 | 4 Aug 1934 | 4 Aug 1934 | — |
| Statute Law Revision Act 1950 | 80, 1950 | 16 Dec 1950 | First Sch: 31 Dec 1950 (s 2) | s 16, 17 |
| Evidence Act 1956 | 48, 1956 | 30 June 1956 | 14 Aug 1956 (s 2) | — |
| Evidence Act 1963 | 28, 1963 | 30 May 1963 | 27 June 1963 | — |
| Evidence Act 1964 | 53, 1964 | 30 May 1964 | 27 June 1964 | — |
| Evidence Act 1973 | 80, 1973 | 19 June 1973 | 1 July 1973 (s 2 and gaz 1973, No 79) | — |
| Statute Law Revision Act 1973 | 216, 1973 | 19 Dec 1973 | Sch 1: 31 Dec 1973 (s 2) | s 9(1), 10 |
| Evidence Act 1974 | 31, 1974 | 1 Aug 1974 | 1 Aug 1974 (s 2) | — |
| Evidence Amendment Act 1978 | 14, 1978 | 14 Apr 1978 | 14 Apr 1978 (s 2) | — |
| Evidence Amendment Act 1979 | 139, 1979 | 23 Nov 1979 | s 1, 2, 4: 23 Nov 1979 (s 2(1)s 3: 21 Apr 1980 (s 2(2) and gaz 1980, No S82) | — |
| Parliamentary Joint Sittings Amendment Act 1981 | 39, 1981 | 1 May 1981 | s 3: 1 May 1981 (s 2) | — |
| Census and Statistics Amendment Act (No. 2) 1981 | 177, 1981 | 8 Dec 1981 | s 12 (2nd occurring), 13 (2nd occurring): 1 Mar 1983 (s 2 and gaz 1983, No S36) | s 12 (2nd occurring) |
| Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No. 2) 1983 | 91, 1983 | 22 Nov 1983 | s 6 and Sch 1: 20 Dec 1983 (s 2(1)) | s 6(1) |
| Evidence Amendment Act 1985 | 198, 1985 | 16 Dec 1985 | 1 Sept 1986 (s 2 and gaz 1986, No S422) | — |
| Industrial Relations (Consequential Provisions) Act 1988 | 87, 1988 | 8 Nov 1988 | Sch 2: 1 Mar 1989 (s 2(2) and gaz 1989, No S53) | — |
| Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1989 | 11, 1990 | 17 Jan 1990 | s 32–34: 14 Feb 1990 (s 2(1)) | — |
| Trade Practices (Misuse of Trans-Tasman Market Power) Act 1990 | 70, 1990 | 16 June 1990 | s 24, 25: 1 July 1990 (s 2 and gaz 1990, No S172) | — |
| Crimes Legislation Amendment Act 1991 | 28, 1991 | 4 Mar 1991 | Sch 2: 4 Mar 1991 (s 2(1)) | — |
| Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1993 | 13, 1994 | 18 Jan 1994 | s 40: 11 Apr 1994 (s 2(3) and gaz No S126) | — |
| Foreign Evidence (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1994 | 43, 1994 | 15 Mar 1994 | s 3, 4: 9 Apr 1994 (s 2(2)) | s 4(2) |
| Evidence and Procedure (New Zealand) (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1994 | 112, 1994 | 16 Sept 1994 | s 3(2) and Sch: 1 Apr 1995 (s 2(2) and gaz 1995, No GN8) | s 3(2) |
| Evidence (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1995 | 3, 1995 | 23 Feb 1995 | s 3, 4: 23 Feb 1995 (s 2(1)) | s 4 |
Note: Endnote 4—Amendment history
| Provision affected | How affected |
|---|---|
| Part I................... | rep No 3, 1995 |
| Heading to Part I............ | rs No 53, 1964 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 1..................... | rep No 3, 1995 |
| s 1A.................... | ad No 53, 1964 |
| rep No 216, 1973 | |
| s 2..................... | am No 80, 1950; No 48, 1956; No 31, 1974; No 39, 1981 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| Heading to Part II........... | rs No 53, 1964 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 3..................... | am No 216, 1973 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 4..................... | am No 80, 1950; No 48, 1956; No 31, 1974; No 139, 1979; No 91, 1983; No 87, 1988; No 13, 1994 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 4A.................... | ad No 53, 1964 |
| am No 216, 1973 | |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| Heading to Part III........... | rs No 53, 1964 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 5..................... | rs No 53, 1964 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 6..................... | am No 91, 1983 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7..................... | am No 28, 1963; No 31, 1974 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| Part IIIA................. | ad No 14, 1978 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7A.................... | ad No14, 1978 |
| am No 91, 1983 | |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7B.................... | ad No 14, 1978 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7C.................... | ad No 14, 1978 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7D.................... | ad No 14, 1978 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7E.................... | ad No 14, 1978 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7F.................... | ad No 14, 1978 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7G.................... | ad No 14, 1978 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7H.................... | ad No 14, 1978 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7J.................... | ad No 14, 1978 |
| am No 198, 1985; No 28, 1991 | |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7K.................... | ad No 14, 1978 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7L.................... | ad No 14, 1978 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7M.................... | ad No 14, 1978 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7N.................... | ad No 14, 1978 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7P.................... | ad No 14, 1978 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7Q.................... | ad No 14, 1978 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7R.................... | ad No 14, 1978 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 7S.................... | ad No 14, 1978 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| am No 139, 1979 | |
| Part IIIB................. | ad No 198, 1985 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| s 7T.................... | ad No 198, 1985 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| s 7U.................... | ad No 198, 1985 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| s 7V.................... | ad No 198, 1985 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| s 7W.................... | ad No 198, 1985 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| s 7WA.................. | ad No 11, 1990 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| s 7WB.................. | ad No 11, 1990 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| s 7X.................... | ad No 198, 1985 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| s 7Y.................... | ad No 198, 1985 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| s 7Z.................... | ad No 198, 1985 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| Part IIIC................. | ad No 11, 1990 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| s 7ZA................... | ad No 11, 1990 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| s 7ZB................... | ad No 11, 1990 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| s 7ZC................... | ad No 11, 1990 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| s 7ZD................... | ad No 11, 1990 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| s 7ZE................... | ad No 11, 1990 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| s 7ZF................... | ad No 11, 1990 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| s 7ZG................... | ad No 11, 1990 |
| rep No 43, 1994 | |
| Heading to Part IV.......... | rs No 53, 1964 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 8..................... | rs No 80, 1973 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 9..................... | rep No 3, 1995 |
| s 10.................... | rep No 3, 1995 |
| s 10A................... | ad No 43, 1934 |
| am No 177, 1981 | |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| Heading to Part V........... | rs No 53, 1964 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 11.................... | rep No 3, 1995 |
| s 11A................... | ad No 70, 1990 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 11B................... | rep No 112, 1994 |
| s 11C................... | ad No 70, 1990 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 11D................... | rep No 112, 1994 |
| s 11E................... | ad No 70, 1990 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 11F................... | am No 112, 1994 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 11G................... | rep No 112, 1994 |
| s 11H................... | rep No 112, 1994 |
| s 11J.................... | rep No 112, 1994 |
| s 11K................... | rep No 112, 1994 |
| s 11L................... | ad No 70, 1990 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 11M................... | ad No 70, 1990 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 11N................... | ad No 70, 1990 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 11P................... | ad No 70, 1990 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 11Q................... | ad No 70, 1990 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 11R................... | ad No 70, 1990 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| Heading to Part VI.......... | rs No 53, 1964 |
| rep No 3, 1995 | |
| s 12.................... | rep No 3, 1995 |