examination-in-chief
(direct examination) The questioning of a witness by the party who called him to give evidence. Leading questions may not normally be asked, except on matters that are introductory to the witness’s evidence or are not in dispute. 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. In civil proceedings, Part 32 of the Civil Procedure Rules provides that where a witness is called to give evidence at trial, his witness statement shall stand as his evidence-in-chief unless the court orders otherwise, and he may be cross-examined on his witness statement whether or not the statement or any part of it was referred to during his examination-in-chief. See also hostile witness.

• operative words
• opinio juris
• opinion
• opinion evidence
• OPSI
• option
• optional clause
• option to purchase
• oral agreement
• oral evidence
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