Title and introductory text
Evidence Act 1938 1938 c.28 An Act to amend the Law of Evidence. [26th May 1938]
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Evidence Act 1938
United Kingdom · statute
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In force since 1997-01-31, as the publisher states.
Copy read on 2026-11-09. The page it was read from
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.
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Contents: 8 provisions
- Title and introductory text
- 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 3 Proof of instrument to validity of which attestation is necessary.
- 4 Presumptions as to documents twenty years old.
- 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 6 Interpretation and savings.
- 7 †Short title, extent and commencement.
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8 provisions
1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Propose a change3 Proof of instrument to validity of which attestation is necessary.
Subject as hereinafter provided, in any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, an instrument to the validity of which attestation is requisite may, instead of being proved by an attesting witness, be proved in the manner in which it might be proved if no attesting witness were alive: Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to the proof of wills or other testamentary documents.
Propose a change4 Presumptions as to documents twenty years old.
In any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, there shall, in the case of a document proved, or purporting, to be not less than twenty years old, be made any presumption which immediately before the commencement of this Act would have been made in the case of a document of like character proved, or purporting, to be not less than thirty years old.
Propose a change5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Propose a change6 Interpretation and savings.
(1) . . . “Proceedings”includes arbitrations and references . . .. (2) Nothing in this Act shall— (a) prejudice the admissibility of any evidence which would apart from the provisions of this Act be admissible; or (b) . . ..
Propose a change7 †Short title, extent and commencement.
(1) This Act may be cited as the Evidence Act 1938. (2) This Act shall not extend to Scotland or Northern Ireland. (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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