Legal Definitions - adminiculate

In Scots law, to adminiculate means to provide additional evidence that supports or confirms other evidence already presented, thereby strengthening its credibility and making it more convincing.

Here are some examples of how this term might apply:

• Criminal Trial Context: Imagine a Scottish criminal trial where a witness testifies that they saw the accused fleeing the scene of a robbery. To adminiculate this testimony, the prosecution might then present forensic evidence, such as fingerprints found at the scene matching the accused, or a receipt showing the accused purchased items consistent with the robbery tools shortly before the incident. This additional evidence supports and corroborates the witness's account, making it more robust.

• Civil Dispute Context: Consider a civil case in Scotland where one party claims there was an oral agreement to repay a loan. The only direct evidence is the claimant's word against the defendant's. To adminiculate their claim, the claimant might produce bank statements showing a transfer of the exact loan amount to the defendant around the time the agreement was allegedly made, followed by a series of text messages where the defendant acknowledges owing money, even if not explicitly mentioning the loan. These financial records and communications provide independent support for the existence of the verbal agreement.

• Child Welfare Hearing Context: In a Scottish court hearing concerning a child's welfare, a teacher might provide a report detailing a child's frequent absences and noticeable decline in academic performance. To adminiculate this report, a medical professional could then present records showing the child has missed several routine health appointments and has untreated minor ailments, suggesting a lack of parental care. The medical records independently support the teacher's observations about the child's well-being and attendance, reinforcing the overall concern.