Legal Definitions - witness

A witness is an individual who provides information relevant to a legal matter. This information typically comes from one of two sources: either they directly observed an event or situation, or they confirmed the authenticity of a signature on a document by signing it themselves. Witnesses may be asked to share their knowledge under oath in court, during depositions, or in other formal legal settings to help establish facts.

• Observing an Event:

  Imagine a civil lawsuit concerning a car accident. A pedestrian who was waiting at a bus stop nearby testifies that they saw the defendant's car run a red light just before colliding with the plaintiff's vehicle.

  Explanation: The pedestrian is a witness because they had firsthand knowledge of a key event in the case – seeing the defendant's car disregard the traffic signal. Their testimony provides direct evidence that helps the court understand what happened.

• Attesting to a Document:

  Consider a small business owner who is finalizing a new partnership agreement. To ensure the agreement is legally sound, a neutral third party, such as a paralegal, is present to observe the owner and their new partner sign the document. The paralegal then adds their own signature to the agreement.

  Explanation: The paralegal acts as a witness to the document signing. By signing, they are attesting that they personally saw the business owner and partner sign the agreement, thereby confirming the genuineness of their signatures and the proper execution of the document. This adds a layer of legal validity and protection to the agreement.