Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Evidence Act 2006

Trial process - Questioning of witnesses

100: Questioning of witnesses by Judge

You could also call this:

"The Judge can ask witnesses questions in court to help find out the truth."

Illustration for Evidence Act 2006

In a court case, you might see a Judge asking a witness questions. The Judge can ask any questions they think are necessary for justice. If the Judge does ask a witness questions, other parties in the case can then ask the witness more questions about what the Judge asked. The party who originally called the witness can also ask the witness more questions after the Judge has finished asking questions.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM393931.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Courts and legal help
Previous

99: Witnesses recalled by Judge, or

"The Judge can ask a witness to come back and answer more questions"

Next

101: Jury questions, or

"Asking questions as a jury member: how it works"

Part 3Trial process
Questioning of witnesses

100Questioning of witnesses by Judge

  1. In any proceeding, the Judge may ask a witness any questions that, in the opinion of the Judge, justice requires.

  2. If the Judge questions a witness,—

  3. every party, other than the party who called the witness, may cross-examine the witness on any matter raised by the Judge’s questions; and
    1. the party who called the witness may re-examine the witness.