Adverse Witness in United Kingdom

Definition of Adverse Witness

In accordance with the work A Dictionary of Law, this is a description of Adverse Witness : A witness who gives evidence unfavourable to the party who called him. If the witness’s evidence is merely unfavourable he may not be impeached (i.e. his credibility may not be attacked) by the party calling him, but contradictory evidence may be called. If, however, the witness is *hostile he may be impeached by introducing evidence that shows his untruthfulness.