Evidence Act 1893 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 2 · Proof
84. Presumption as to document admissible in England without proof of seal or signature
Feedback & supportWhen any document is produced before any court purporting to be a document which by the law in force for the time being in England or Northern Ireland would be admissible in proof of any particular in any court of justice in England or Northern Ireland, without proof of the seal or stamp or signature authenticating it, or of the judicial or official character claimed by the person by whom it purports to be signed —
document
“document” includes, in addition to a document in writing —(a)any map, plan, graph or drawing;(b)any photograph;(c)any label, marking or other writing which identifies or describes anything of which it forms a part, or to which it is attached by any means whatsoever;(d)any disc, tape, soundtrack or other device in which sounds or other data (not being visual images) are embodied so as to be capable (with or without the aid of some other equipment) of being reproduced therefrom;(e)any film (including microfilm), negative, tape, disc or other device in which one or more visual images are embodied so as to be capable (with or without the aid of some other equipment) of being reproduced therefrom; and(f)any paper or other material on which there are marks, impressions, figures, letters, symbols or perforations having a meaning for persons qualified to interpret them;
the court is to presume that such seal, stamp or signature is genuine, and that the person signing it held at the time when the person signed it the judicial or official character which the person claims; and
court
“court” includes all Judges and Magistrates and, except arbitrators, all persons legally authorised to take evidence;
the document is admissible for the same purpose for which it would be admissible in England or Northern Ireland.