When it is time for you to give
your evidence, the court officer will show you the witness
box and ask you whether you prefer to take an oath
to tell the truth or to make an affirmation to do so.
An oath has religious significance
and an affirmation does not. Your evidence will be considered
in the same way regardless of the choice you make.
You will then be handed a card
which has the oath on one side and the affirmation on
the other. When people give evidence in Court, they are
asked to take an oath or affirmation that they will tell
the truth. It is an offence to give false evidence in
Court after taking this oath or affirmation.
If you would prefer to have the
oath or affirmation read on your behalf because of poor
eyesight or for any other reason, you need to tell the
court officer this as soon as you arrive. The Court also
requires at least 24 hours’ notice of any other
arrangements that may need to be made to enable you to
take the oath or affirmation. For example, the Court must
be notified if you require a holy book other than the
Bible. Tell this to the person or lawyer who has called
you as a witness.
