Direct Examination in United Kingdom

Definition of Direct Examination

In accordance with the work A Dictionary of Law, this is a description of Direct Examination : (examination-in-chief, direct examination)

The questioning of a witness by the party who called him to give evidence. Leading questions (*leading question) may not be asked, except on matters that are introductory to the witness’s evidence or are not in dispute or (with permission of the judge) when the witness is *hostile. The purpose of examination-in-chief is to elicit facts favourable to the case of the party conducting the examination. It is followed by a *cross-examination by the opposing party.