Lay witness
Definition
A witness who testifies only to personal observations and facts, without offering specialist opinions. Any person with direct knowledge can be a lay witness.
Related terms
- Advocate expert
- An expert who argues a position in the interests of the retaining party rather than providing an objective assessment. Considered unethical in...
- Cross-examination
- Questioning of a witness by the opposing party. For an expert, cross-examination probes qualifications, methodology, the basis of opinions, limitations, inconsistencies with...
- Direct examination
- Questioning of a witness by the attorney who called them. Usually structured to build a logical narrative: credentials, examination process, findings, interpretation.
- Expert witness
- A person with specialised knowledge or skill who is permitted to give opinion evidence to a court, as distinct from a witness...
- Voir dire
- A pre-trial hearing at which the court evaluates the admissibility and qualifications of an expert witness. In Daubert jurisdictions the judge assesses...
Explained in
- Testifying as a Forensic Nurse Expert WitnessA witness who testifies only to personal observations and facts, without offering specialist opinions. Any person with direct knowledge can be a lay witness.