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Law vocabulary · Evidence & Proof

Cross-examination

Meaning in law, with examples

nounCommon term

In law, cross-examination means: The questioning of a witness by the lawyer for the other side, in order to test the witness's account and find weaknesses in it.

In Turkish: çapraz sorgu, karşı tarafça sorgulama

How it is used

A key skill in common law trials. A witness is 'under cross-examination', and counsel 'conducts' it. It follows 'examination-in-chief' (UK) or 'direct examination' (US), when the witness is questioned by the side that called them. The verb is 'cross-examine'.

Example sentences

  1. Under cross-examination, the director admitted that he had seen the warning email.

  2. Keep your cross-examination short and ask only questions you know the answer to.

Common collocations

  • under cross-examination
  • conduct a cross-examination
  • cross-examination of a witness
  • withstand cross-examination
  • witnessA person who tells a court what they saw, heard or know about a case; also someone who watches a document being signed and then signs it too.
  • testimonyA formal statement that a witness makes in court or in writing, usually under oath, about facts they know.
  • trialThe formal process in court where evidence is presented and a judge or jury decides the case, usually after weeks or months of preparation.
  • evidenceDocuments, objects, statements and other information that a court uses to decide which facts are true.
  • counselThe lawyer or lawyers who represent a party in court; in the UK it often means a barrister. A lawyer employed by a company is called in-house counsel.

More terms: Evidence & Proof

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.