Admissible Evidence: Definition, Example and Related Terms
What is Admissible Evidence ?
Admissible evidence is any kind of tangible proof that can be legally and ethically used in a court of law or a contractual dispute.
This means it must meet certain standards and rules to be considered valid and applicable.
If something is admissible, it can be used to support a case or a claim. In the case of commercial contracts, admissible evidence could be emails, physical documents, recorded phone calls, or anything that helps to prove a point or dispute in a contract. It's important to note that not all evidence is admissible. For example, evidence that has been obtained illegally or unethically, like through hacking someone's s emails. Similarly, hearsay, which is information you heard but didn't witness yourself, is usually not admissible, unless it falls under certain exceptions.
Example(s)
Scenario Description A company is accused of violating the terms of a commercial contract. They claim they have not. In this case, admissible evidence could include the original contract, any modifications or addendums to the contract, correspondence between the parties such as emails or letters that discuss the contract, and any records of actions taken related to the contract, like payments made or products delivered. If the company has kept good records, they can use this evidence to prove that they did not violate the contract. A supplier is accused of consistently delivering products late, violating the terms of their contract. In this scenario, admissible evidence could be delivery records, emails or correspondence discussing the delays, or even testimonies from employees or other witnesses who can confirm the late deliveries. This evidence can be used to support the claim that the supplier has been violating the contract.