Hong Kong Regulations

THE RULES OF THE HIGH COURT - ORDER 38

EVIDENCE

(Past version on 01/07/1997).
(Past version on 30/06/1997).

I. GENERAL RULES

1. General rule: witnesses to be examined orally (O. 38, r. 1)

Subject to the provisions of these rules and of the Evidence Ordinance (
Cap 8) and any other written law relating to evidence, any fact required to be
proved at the trial of any action begun by writ by the evidence of witnesses
shall be proved by the examination of the witnesses orally and in open court.

2. Evidence by affidavit (O. 38, r. 2)

(1) The Court may, at or before the trial of an action begun by writ, order
that the affidavit of any witness may be read at the trial if in the
circumstances of the case it thinks it reasonable so to order.

(2) An order under paragraph (1) may be made on such terms as to the filing
and giving of copies of the affidavits and as to the production of the
deponents for cross-examination as the Court thinks fit but, subject to any
such terms and to any subsequent order of the Court, the deponents shall not
be subject to cross-examination and need not attend the trial for the purpose.

(3) In any cause or matter begun by originating summons, originating motion or
petition, and on any application made by summons or motion, evidence may be
given by affidavit unless in the case of any such cause, matter or application
any provision of these rules otherwise provides or the Court otherwise
directs, but the Court may, on the application of any party, order the
attendance for cross-examination of the person making any such affidavit, and
where, after such an order has been made, the person in question does not
attend, his affidavit shall not be used as evidence without the leave of
the Court.

2A. Exchange of witness statements (O. 38, r. 2A)

(1) The powers of the Court under this rule shall be exercised for the purpose
of disposing fairly and expeditiously of the cause or matter before it, and
saving costs, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including
(but not limited to)-

   (a)  the extent to which the facts are in dispute or have been admitted;

   (b)  the extent to which the issues of fact are defined by the pleadings;

   (c)  the extent to which information has been or is likely to be provided
        by further and better particulars, answers to interrogatories or
        otherwise.

(2) At the hearing of a summons for directions in an action commenced by writ
the Court shall direct every party to serve on the other parties, within such
period of the hearing as the Court may specify and on such terms as the Court
may specify, written statements of the oral evidence which the party intends
to adduce on any issues of fact to be decided at the trial. The Court may give
a direction to any party under this paragraph at any other stage of such an
action and at any stage of any other cause or matter. Order 3, rule 5(3) shall
not apply to any period specified by the Court under this paragraph.

(3) Directions under paragraph (2) or (17) may make different provision with
regard to different issues of fact or different witnesses.

(4) Statements served under this rule shall-

   (a)  be dated and, except for good reason (which should be specified by
        letter accompanying the statement), be signed by the intended witness
        and shall include a statement by him that the contents are true to the
        best of his knowledge and belief;

   (b)  sufficiently identify any documents referred to therein; and

   (c)  where they are to be served by more than one party, be exchanged
        simultaneously.

(5) Where a party is unable to obtain a written statement from an intended
witness in accordance with paragraph (4)(a), the Court may direct the party
wishing to adduce that witness's evidence to provide the other party with the
name of the witness and (unless the Court otherwise orders) a statement of the
nature of the evidence intended to be adduced.

(6) Subject to paragraph (9), where the party serving a statement under this
rule does not call the witness to whose evidence it relates, no other party
may put the statement in evidence at the trial.

(7) Subject to paragraph (9), where the party serving the statement does call
such a witness at the trial-

   (a)  except where the trial is with a jury, the Court may, on such terms as
        it thinks fit, direct that the statement served, or part of it, shall
        stand as the evidence in chief of the witness or part of such
        evidence;

   (b)  the party may not without the consent of the other parties or the
        leave of the Court adduce evidence from that witness the substance of
        which is not included in the statement served, except-

        (i)    where the Court's directions under paragraph (2) or (17)
               specify that statements should be exchanged in relation to only
               some issues of fact, in relation to any other issues;

        (ii)   in relation to new matters which have arisen since the
               statement was served on the other party;

   (c)  whether or not the statement or any part of it is referred to during
        the evidence in chief of the witness, any party may put the statement
        or any part of it in cross-examination of that witness.

(8) Nothing in this rule shall make admissible evidence which is otherwise
inadmissible.

(9) Where any statement served is one to which the Evidence  Ordinance (
Cap 8) applies, paragraphs (6) and (7) shall take effect subject to the
provisions of that Ordinance and Parts III and IV of this Order. The service
of a witness statement under this rule shall not, unless expressly so stated
by the party serving the same, be treated as a notice under that Ordinance;
and where a statement or any part thereof would be admissible in evidence by
virtue only of that Ordinance, the appropriate notice under Part III or IV of
this Order shall be served with the statement notwithstanding any provision of
those Parts as to the time for serving such a notice. Where such a notice is
served, a counter-notice shall be deemed to have been served under rule 26(1).

(10) Where a party fails to comply with a direction for the exchange of
witness statements he shall not be entitled to adduce evidence to which the
direction related without the leave of the Court.

(11) Where a party serves a witness statement under this rule, no other person
may make use of that statement for any purpose other than the purpose of the
proceedings in which it was served-

   (a)  unless and to the extent that the party serving it gives his consent
        in writing or the Court gives leave; or

   (b)  unless and to the extent that it has been put in evidence

(whether pursuant to a direction under paragraph (7)(a) or otherwise).

(12) Subject to paragraph (13), the judge shall, if any person so requests
during the course of the trial, direct the Clerk of Court to certify as open
to inspection any witness statement which was ordered to stand as evidence in
chief under paragraph (7)(a). A request under this paragraph may be made
orally or in writing.

(13) The judge may refuse to give a direction under paragraph (12) in relation
to a witness statement, or may exclude from such a direction any words or
passages in a statement, if he considers that inspection should not be
available-

   (a)  in the interests of justice or national security;

   (b)  because of the nature of any expert medical evidence in the statement;
        or

   (c)  for any other sufficient reason.

(14) Where the Clerk of Court is directed under paragraph (12) to certify a
witness statement as open to inspection he shall-

        (a)	prepare a certificate which shall be attached to a copy ("the 
certified copy") of that witness statement; and

   (b)  make the certified copy available for inspection.

(15) Subject to any conditions which the Court may by special or general
direction impose, any person may inspect and (subject to payment of the
prescribed fee) take a copy of the certified copy of a witness statement from
the time when the certificate is given until the end of 7 days after the
conclusion of the trial.

(16) In this rule-

   (a)  any reference in paragraphs (12) to (15) to a witness statement shall,
        in relation to a witness statement of which only part has been ordered
        to stand as evidence in chief under paragraph (7)(a), be construed as
        a reference to that part;

   (b)  any reference to inspecting or copying the certified copy of a witness
        statement shall be construed as including a reference to inspecting or
        copying a copy of that certified copy.

(17) The Court shall have power to vary or override any of the provisions of
this rule (except paragraphs (1), (8) and (12) to (16)) and to give such
alternative directions as it thinks fit. (L.N. 223 of 1995)

3. Evidence of particular facts (O. 38, r. 3)

(1) Without prejudice to rule 2, the Court may, at or before the trial of any
action, order that evidence of any particular fact shall be given at the trial
in such manner as may be specified by the order.

(2) The power conferred by paragraph (1) extends in particular to ordering
that evidence of any particular fact may be given at the trial-

   (a)  by statement on oath of information or belief, or

   (b)  by the production of documents or entries in books, or

   (c)  by copies of documents or entries in books, or

   (d)  in the case of a fact which is or was a matter of common knowledge
        either generally or in a particular district, by the production of a
        specified newspaper which contains a statement of that fact.

4. Limitation of expert evidence (O. 38, r. 4)

The Court may, at or before the trial of any action, order that the number of
medical or other expert witnesses who may be called at the trial shall be
limited as specified by the order.

5. Limitation of plans, etc., in evidence (O. 38, r. 5)

Unless, at or before the trial, the Court for special reasons otherwise
orders, no plan, photograph or model shall be receivable in evidence at the
trial of an action unless at least 10 days before the commencement of the
trial the parties, other than the party producing it, have been given an
opportunity to inspect it and to agree to the admission thereof without
further proof.

6. Revocation or variation of orders under rules 2 to 5 (O. 38, r. 6)

Any order under rules 2 to 5 (including an order made on appeal) may, on
sufficient cause being shown, be revoked or varied by a subsequent order of
the Court made at or before the trial.

7. Evidence of finding on foreign law (O. 38, r. 7)

(1) A party to any cause or matter who intends to adduce in evidence a finding
or decision on a question of foreign law by virtue of section 59 of the
Evidence Ordinance ( Cap 8) shall-

   (a)  in the case of an action to which Order 25, rule 1, applies within 14
        days after the pleadings in the action are deemed to be closed, and

   (b)  in the case of any other cause or matter, within 21 days after the
        date on which an appointment for the first hearing of the cause or
        matter is obtained, or in either case, within such other period as
        the Court may specify, serve notice of his intention on
        every other party to the proceedings.

(2) The notice shall specify the question on which the finding or decision was
given or made and specify the document in which it is reported or recorded in
citable form.

(3) In any cause or matter in which evidence may be given by affidavit, an
affidavit specifying the matters contained in paragraph (2) shall constitute
notice under paragraph (1) if served within the period mentioned in that
paragraph.

8. Application to trials of issues, references, etc. (O. 38, r. 8)

The foregoing rules of this Order shall apply to trials of issues or questions
of fact or law, references, inquiries and assessments of damages as they apply
to the trial of actions.

9. Depositions: when receivable in evidence at trial (O. 38, r. 9)

(1) No deposition taken in any cause or matter shall be received in evidence
at the trial of the cause or matter unless-

   (a)  the deposition was taken in pursuance of an order under Order 39, rule
        1, and

   (b)  either the party against whom the evidence is offered consents or it
        is proved to the satisfaction of the Court that the deponent is dead,
        or beyond the jurisdiction of the Court or unable from sickness or
        other infirmity to attend the trial.

(2) A party intending to use any deposition in evidence at the trial of a
cause or matter must, a reasonable time before the trial, give notice of his
intention to do so to the other party.

(3) A deposition purporting to be signed by the person before whom it was
taken shall be receivable in evidence without proof of the signature being the
signature of that person.

10. High Court documents admissible or receivable in evidence (O. 38, r. 10)

(1) Office copies of writs, records, pleadings and documents filed in the High
Court shall be admissible in evidence in any cause or matter and between all
parties to the same extent as the original would be admissible.

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of any enactment, every document
purporting to be sealed with the seal of any office or department of the High
Court shall be received in evidence without further proof, and any document
purporting to be so sealed and to be a copy of a document filed in, or issued
out of, that office or department shall be deemed to be an office copy of that
document without further proof unless the contrary is shown.

(25 of 1998 s. 2)

11. Evidence of consent of new trustee to act (O. 38, r. 11)

A document purporting to contain the written consent of a person to act as
trustee and to bear his signature verified by some other person shall be
evidence of such consent.

12. Evidence at trial may be used in subsequent proceedings (O. 38, r. 12)

Any evidence taken at the trial of any cause or matter may be used in any
subsequent proceedings in that cause or matter.

13. Order to produce document at proceeding other than trial (O. 38, r. 13)

(1) At any stage in a cause or matter the Court may order any person to attend
any proceeding in the cause or matter and produce any document, to be
specified or described in the order, the production of which appears to
the Court to be necessary for the purpose of that proceeding.

(2) No person shall be compelled by an order under paragraph (1) to produce
any document at a proceeding in a cause or matter which he could not be
compelled to produce at the trial of that cause or matter.

II. WRITS OF SUBPOENA

14. Form and issue of writ of subpoena (O. 38, r. 14)

(1) A writ of subpoena must be in Form No. 28 or 29 in Appendix A, whichever
is appropriate.

(2) Issue of a writ of subpoena takes place upon its being sealed by an
officer of the Court.

(3) Where a writ of subpoena is to be issued in a cause or matter in
the Court, the appropriate office for the issue of the writ is the Registry.
(HK)(5) Before a writ of subpoena is issued a praecipe for the issue of the
writ must be filed in the Registry together with a note from a judge or master
authorizing the issue of such writ and the sum of $500 shall be deposited in
the Registry, in addition to any fee payable in respect of such issue, as a
deposit in respect of the witness' reasonable expenses; and the praecipe must
contain the name and address of the party issuing the writ, if he is acting in
person, or the name or firm and business address of that party's solicitor and
also (if the solicitor is the agent of another) the name or firm and business
address of his principal. (HK)(6) In any proceedings, whether in chambers or
in court, the  Court may order the reimbursement by one or more of the parties
to a witness who has been served with a writ of subpoena in respect of any
expenses reasonably and properly incurred by that witness. (HK)(7) Any
expenses so ordered by the Court to be paid shall be assessed by the Court
making the order or, if no such assessment is made by the Court, shall be
taxed (if not agreed) and paid by the party ordered to make such payment.
(HK)(8) A witness whose expenses have been ordered to be paid may, if the
party ordered to make such payment is the party who made the deposit on issue
of the writ of subpoena, recover such expenses, after assessment, agreement or
taxation, from the said deposit and look to the party liable to make such
payment for the balance, if any. (HK)(9) The deposit (or such part of it as
shall remain after payment to the witness under rule 14(8)) shall be refunded
to the party that paid the deposit if-

   (a)  that party was not ordered to pay the costs of the witness; or

   (b)  that party was ordered to pay the costs of the witness and has
        effected payment of such costs after assessment, agreement or
        taxation.

15. More than one name may be included in one writ of subpoena (O. 38, r. 15)

The names of two or more persons may be included in one writ of subpoena ad
testificandum.

16. Amendment of writ of subpoena (O. 38, r. 16)

Where there is a mistake in any person's name or address in a writ of
subpoena, then, if the writ has not been served, the party by whom the writ
was issued may have the writ re-sealed in correct form by filing a
second praecipe under rule 14(5) endorsed with the words "Amended and
re-sealed".

17. Service of writ of subpoena (O. 38, r. 17)

A writ of subpoena must be served personally and, subject to rule 19, the
service shall not be valid unless effected within 12 weeks after the date of
issue of the writ and not less than four days, or such other period as
the Court may fix, before the day on which attendance before the Court is
required.

18. Duration of writ of subpoena (O. 38, r. 18)

Subject to rule 19, a writ of subpoena continues to have effect until the
conclusion of the trial at which the attendance of the witness is required.

19. Writ of subpoena in aid of inferior court or tribunal (O. 38, r. 19)

(1) The office of the Court out of which a writ of subpoena ad testificandum
or a writ of subpoena duces tecum in aid of an inferior court or tribunal may
be issued is the Registry, and no order of the Court for the issue of such a
writ is necessary.

(2) A writ of subpoena in aid of an inferior court or tribunal continues to
have effect until the disposal of the proceedings before that court or
tribunal at which the attendance of the witness is required.

(3) A writ of subpoena issued in aid of an inferior court or tribunal must be
served personally.

(4) Unless a writ of subpoena issued in aid of an inferior court or tribunal
is duly served on the person to whom it is directed not less than 4 days, or
such other period as the Court may fix, before the day on which the attendance
of that person before the court or tribunal is required by the writ, that
person shall not be liable to any penalty or process for failing to obey the
writ.

(5) An application to set aside a writ of subpoena issued in aid of an
inferior court or tribunal may be heard by a master.

III. HEARSAY EVIDENCE

20. Application and interpretation (O. 38, r. 20)

(1) In this Part of this Order "the Ordinance" (條例) means the
Evidence Ordinance ( Cap 8) and any expressions used in this Part and in Part
IV of the Ordinance have the same meanings in this Part as they have in the
said Part IV.

(2) This Part of this Order shall apply in relation to the trial or hearing of
an issue or question arising in a cause or matter, and to a reference, inquiry
and assessment of damages, as it applies in relation to the trial or hearing
of a cause or matter.

(3) In this Part-

"hearsay evidence" (傳聞證據) means evidence consisting of hearsay within
the meaning of section 46 of the Ordinance.

(2 of 1999 s. 6)

21. Power to call witness for cross-examination on hearsay evidence and to
call additional evidence to attack or support hearsay  evidence (O. 38, r. 21)

(1) Where a party tenders as hearsay evidence a statement made by a person but
does not propose to call the person who made the statement to give evidence,
the Court may, on application-

   (a)  allow another party to call and cross-examine the person who made the
        statement on its contents;

   (b)  allow any party to call-

        (i)    additional evidence to attack or support the reliability of the
               statement;

        (ii)   additional evidence to attack or support that first-mentioned
               additional evidence.

(2) Where the Court allows another party to call and cross-examine the person
who made the statement, it may give such directions as it thinks fit to secure
the attendance of that person and as to the procedure to be followed.

(2 of 1999 s. 6)

22. Powers exercisable in chambers (O. 38, r. 22)

The jurisdiction of the Court under rules 20 and 21 may be exercised in
chambers.

(2 of 1999 s. 6)

23-34. (Repealed 2 of 1999 s. 6)

IV. EXPERT EVIDENCE

35. Interpretation (O. 38, r. 35)

In this Part of this Order a reference to a summons for directions includes a
reference to any summons or application to which, under any of these rules,
Order 25, rules 2 to 7, apply, and expressions used in this Part of this Order
which are used in the Evidence Ordinance ( Cap 8) have the same meanings in
this Part of this Order as in that Ordinance.

36. Restrictions on adducing expert evidence (O. 38, r. 36)

(1) Except with the leave of the Court or where all parties agree, no expert
evidence may be adduced at the trial or hearing of any cause or matter unless
the party seeking to adduce the evidence-

   (a)  has applied to the Court to determine whether a direction should be
        given under rule 37 or 41 (whichever is appropriate) and has complied
        with any direction given on the application, or

   (b)  has complied with automatic directions taking effect under Order 25,
        rule 8(1)(b), or

   (c)  has complied with the automatic directions, or any other directions
        ordered by the master under Order 37, rule 1(1A). (L.N. 363 of 1990)

(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall apply to evidence which is permitted to be
given by affidavit or shall affect the enforcement under any other provision
of these rules (except of Order 45, rule 5) of a direction given under this
Part of this Order. (L.N. 363 of 1990)

37. Direction that expert report be disclosed (O. 38, r. 37)

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), where in any cause or matter an application is
made under rule 36(1) in respect of oral expert evidence, then, unless
the Court considers that there are special reasons for not doing so, it shall
direct that the substance of the evidence be disclosed in the form of a
written report or reports to such other parties and within such period as
the Court may specify. (L.N. 404 of 1991)

(2) Nothing in paragraph (1) shall require a party to disclose a further
medical report if he proposes to rely at the trial only on the report provided
pursuant to Order 18, rule 12(1A) or (1B) but, where a party claiming damages
for personal injuries discloses a further report, that report shall be
accompanied by a statement of the special damages
claimed and, in this paragraph, "a statement of the special damages claimed"
(關於所申索的專項損害賠償的陳述書) has the same meaning as in
Order 18, rule 12(1C). (L.N. 404 of 1991)

38. Meeting of experts (O. 38, r. 38)

In any cause or matter the Court may, if it thinks fit, direct that there
be a meeting "without prejudice" of such experts within such periods before or
after the disclosure of their reports as the Court may specify, for the
purpose of identifying those parts of their evidence which are in issue. Where
such a meeting takes place the experts may prepare a joint statement
indicating those parts of their evidence on which they are, and those on which
they are not, in agreement.

39. Disclosure of part of expert evidence (O. 38, r. 39)

Where the Court considers that any circumstances rendering it undesirable to
give a direction under rule 37 relate to part only of the evidence sought to
be adduced, the Court may, if it thinks fit, direct disclosure of the
remainder.

41. Expert evidence contained in statement (O. 38, r. 41)

Where an application is made under rule 36 in respect of expert evidence
contained in a statement and the applicant alleges that the maker of the
statement cannot or should not be called as a witness, the Court may direct
that the provisions of rules 20 to 23 inclusive and 25 to 33 inclusive shall
apply with such modifications as the Court thinks fit.

42. Putting in evidence expert report disclosed
by another party (O. 38, r. 42)

A party to any cause or matter may put in evidence any expert report disclosed
to him by any other party in accordance with this Part of this Order.

43. Time for putting expert report in evidence (O. 38, r. 43)

Where a party to any cause or matter calls as a witness the maker of a report
which has been disclosed in accordance with a direction given under rule 37,
the report may be put in evidence at the commencement of the examination in
chief of its maker or at such other time as the Court may direct.

44. Revocation and variation of directions (O. 38, r. 44)

Any direction given under this Part of this Order may on sufficient cause
being shown be revoked or varied by a subsequent direction given at or before
the trial of the cause or matter. (Enacted 1988)