Simple English definitions for legal terms
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The business records exception is a rule that allows certain records from an organization to be used as evidence in court, even if they would normally be considered hearsay. To qualify, the records must be written by someone with first-hand knowledge of the event, made as part of their job, and kept in the normal course of business. They must also be trustworthy and not self-serving. This exception is important in business litigation, but it can be tricky to apply correctly.
The business records exception is a legal rule that allows certain records to be admitted as evidence in court, even if they would normally be considered hearsay. This exception is important in business litigation, as it allows parties to use records from their own organization to support their case.
To qualify for the business records exception, the records must meet certain requirements:
For example, if a company is being sued for breach of contract, they may use their own internal records to show that they fulfilled their obligations under the contract. If the records meet the requirements of the business records exception, they can be admitted as evidence in court.
It's important to note that the business records exception only applies to records from an organization, and not to hearsay from individuals outside the organization. Additionally, the records must be trustworthy and not give rise to suspicion of bias or manipulation.