opening speeches

opening speeches

in English criminal practice, the speech made by the prosecution indicating what it is it is trying to establish against the defendant. The defence may do so too if it has witnesses in addition to the defendant. In Scotland, the practice is not followed and is often criticized. It has the benefit that the jury and judge get some idea of what the case is about and puts the evidence that is to be heard into context. On the other hand, a jury might become predisposed against the defendant from the start. Having heard so much detail from the Crown, the jury might confuse allegation with proof of fact.
Collins Dictionary of Law © W.J. Stewart, 2006
References in periodicals archive ?
The opening speeches were given by H E Dr Yehia bin Badr bin Malek al Mewali, Undersecretary in the ministry, and Asr Ahmed Toson, UNFPA GCC representative, Sultanate of Oman.
UNFPA, MOSD ORGANISE MEET ON WOMEN, FAMILY
German government spokesman Georg Streiter said Chancellor Angela Merkel had planned to use her speech at the opening of the exhibition to call for the return of the art in accordance with international law, but Russia cancelled the opening speeches citing lack of time.
German anger at art exhibition; InBrief
Opening speeches will be held by Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, European Parliament President Martin Schulz and Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso.
MULTIANNUAL FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK CONFERENCE ON 22 MARCH
Voting began after a couple of opening speeches from officials of the party, party leaders and the two candidates in the election: Atta Mills and Rawlings.
Ghana's ruling party in unprecedented presidential primary
FIRST Minister Rhodri Morgan missed the official opening speeches at Cardiff City's new stadium as he was unwell, a spokeswoman said yesterday.
Sick Rhodri misses stadium speeches
THE Tory conference got off to a shambolic start yesterday, with angry party activists complaining they could not hear opening speeches.
WALES: Shambolic start to Tory conference; CONSERVATIVE PARTY CONFERENCE
Nick Dolan, of the trust which owns the hall, and Ian Lane, headmaster of Washington School, will give opening speeches followed by a minute's silence at 1.46pm.
Service for victims
The youngsters, aged between 13 and 16, are running a workshop, presenting opening speeches and designing the conference pack for the event, at Birmingham's Hilton hotel.
Teenagers to help run wardens' conference
In their opening speeches, both Mbeki and summit SecretaryGeneral Nitin Desai stressed that the final documents must contain specific timetables and targets.
Contentious issues
A jury was sworn in yesterday, and the opening speeches should take place today.
Jury sworn in for doping trial
The launch - at the City of Manchester Stadium - was blighted by technical problems, including a blackout during the opening speeches.
BRITAIN: Show goes on - Hughes
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