EXAMINATION

in law, interrogation of a witness by attorneys or by the judge. In Anglo-American proceedings this usually begins with direct examination, or, as it is called in England, examination-in-chief, by the party who called the witness. After direct examination, the attorney for the other party may conduct a cross-examination of the same witness, usually designed to cause him to explain, modify, or contradict the testimony he gave on direct examination. It may be followed by redirect examination and even, in some U.S. jurisdictions, by re-cross-examination. Continental European legal procedure varies from country to country. Examination begins with an interrogation of the witness by the judge. In some countries (e.g., Germany), the witness may then be questioned by the attorneys of both parties. In France attorneys' questions may be put to witnesses only through the president of the court.