AH0710 - Commissioners’ Hearings: Evidence: Direct and hearsay evidence

Direct evidence is testimony of a fact perceived by a witness with one or more of his senses. The `best' evidence which can be given is the direct evidence of a witness of facts within his own knowledge and where possible you should still seek to achieve this standard of evidence even though less than `best' evidence is admissible.

Hearsay evidence is any evidence which is not direct. Put simply, it is usually evidence of what another person has said. The weight the Commissioners attach to it may be limited.