To '''testify''', also known as to '''give evidence''', is to answer questions as a witness in [[court]].
To '''testify''', also known as to '''give evidence''', is to answer questions as a witness in [[court]].
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In normal circumstances the party calling a witness to testify will have an initial chance to perform a [[direct examination]] before the opposing side has a chance to [[Cross-examination|cross-examine]]. The initial side will then have a chance to [[Re-direct examination|re-direct]] on any matters raised during the cross-examination. All testimony in court is given [[oath|under oath]] which means charges of [[perjury]] will apply to any deliberate lies told.
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In normal circumstances, the party calling a witness to testify will initially perform a [[direct examination]] before the opposing side has a chance to [[Cross-examination|cross-examine]]. The initial side will then have a chance to [[Re-direct examination|re-direct]] on any matters raised during the cross-examination. All testimony in court is given [[oath|under oath]] which means charges of [[perjury]] will apply to any deliberate lies told.
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Normally a witness can only be asked about what they know about an event; that is what they themselves directly saw or heard. Only a properly qualified [[expert witness]] may be asked their opinion about their evidence, or to draw an inference from the available facts.
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Normally a witness can only be asked about what they know about an event; that is what they themselves [[direct evidence|directly saw or heard]]. Only a properly qualified [[expert witness]] may be asked their opinion about their evidence, or to draw an inference from the available facts.