Article 55 Evidence in proceedings before the registrar; s.69

Where under these Rules evidence may be admitted by the registrar in any proceedings before her, it shall be by the filing of a statutory declaration or affidavit.

The registrar may in any particular case take oral evidence in lieu of or in addition to such evidence and shall, unless she otherwise directs, allow any witness to be cross-examined on his statutory declaration, affidavit or oral evidence.

Where these Rules provide for the use of an affidavit or statutory declaration, a witness statement verified by a statement of truth may be used as an alternative; the Registrar may give a direction as she thinks fit in any particular case that evidence must be given by affidavit or statutory declaration instead of or in addition to a witness statement verified by a statement of truth.

The practice and procedure of the High Court with regard to witness statements and statements of truth, their form and contents and the procedure governing their use are to apply as appropriate to all proceedings under these Rules.

Where in proceedings before the registrar, a party adduces evidence of a statement made by a person otherwise than while giving oral evidence in the proceedings and does not call that person as a witness, the registrar may, if she thinks fit, permit any other party to the proceedings to call that person as a witness and cross-examine him on the statement as if he had been called by the first-mentioned party and as if the statement were his evidence in chief.