An adverse witness, also known as a hostile witness, is a witness called by one party in a legal proceeding who appears unwilling or hostile to testify truthfully or in a manner favourable to the calling party’s case. Typically, adverse witnesses are called by the opposing party, but they may also be called by the party who called them initially if their testimony becomes unfavorable during questioning. Adverse witnesses may exhibit hostility, evasiveness, or reluctance in providing testimony, often contradicting their prior statements or the interests of the party who called them. In response, the party who called the adverse witness may be permitted to ask leading questions or impeach the witness’s credibility through cross-examination. Adverse witnesses play a significant role in adversarial legal proceedings, as their testimony may impact the outcome of the case and provide insights into contested issues.
Definitions for Adverse Witness are sourced/syndicated and enhanced from:
- A Dictionary of Economics (Oxford Quick Reference)
- Oxford Dictionary Of Accounting
- Oxford Dictionary Of Business & Management
This glossary post was last updated: 7th March, 2024.
To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.
- Page URL:https://dlssolicitors.com/define/adverse-witness/
- Modern Language Association (MLA):Adverse Witness. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. March 19, 2024 https://dlssolicitors.com/define/adverse-witness/.
- Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):Adverse Witness. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. https://dlssolicitors.com/define/adverse-witness/ (accessed: March 19, 2024).
- American Psychological Association (APA):Adverse Witness. dlssolicitors.com. Retrieved March 19, 2024, from dlssolicitors.com website: https://dlssolicitors.com/define/adverse-witness/