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Evidence Act 2006

Admissibility rules, privilege, and confidentiality - Hearsay evidence

17: Hearsay rule

You could also call this:

"What is the 'Hearsay rule': a rule that says you usually can't use what someone else said as evidence in court"

Illustration for Evidence Act 2006

When you are in court, you might hear someone say something that another person said. This is called a hearsay statement. You can't usually use hearsay statements as evidence, but there are some exceptions. You can use a hearsay statement if this Act or another law says you can. You can also use a hearsay statement if this Act does not apply to your case and the statement is relevant and not against the rules of the Act.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM393591.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Courts and legal help
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16: Interpretation, or

"Understanding what words mean in the law"

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18: General admissibility of hearsay, or

"When can you use what someone else said in court?"

Part 2Admissibility rules, privilege, and confidentiality
Hearsay evidence

17Hearsay rule

  1. A hearsay statement is not admissible except—

  2. as provided by this subpart or by the provisions of any other Act; or
    1. in cases where—
      1. this Act provides that this subpart does not apply; and
        1. the hearsay statement is relevant and not otherwise inadmissible under this Act.