documentary evidence
Also found in: Dictionary, Financial, Wikipedia.
Related to documentary evidence: Demonstrative evidence, oral evidence
Documentary Evidence
A type of written proof that is offered at a trial to establish the existence or nonexistence of a fact that is in dispute.
Letters, contracts, deeds, licenses, certificates, tickets, or other writings are documentary evidence.
West's Encyclopedia of American Law, edition 2. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
documentary evidence
n. any document (paper) which is presented and allowed as evidence in a trial or hearing, as distinguished from oral testimony. However, the opposing attorney may object to its being admitted. In the first place, it must be proved by other evidence from a witness that the paper is genuine (called "laying a foundation"), as well as pass muster over the usual objections such as relevancy. (See: document, evidence)
Copyright © 1981-2005 by Gerald N. Hill and Kathleen T. Hill. All Right reserved.
documentary evidence
evidence in written rather than oral form. The admissibility of such evidence depends on the authenticity of the document and the purpose for which it is being offered in evidence.Collins Dictionary of Law © W.J. Stewart, 2006