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7.6
U3AOS2 - The Parties
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who are the main parties in a civil dispute? | The plaintiff and the defendant. |
| Who has the burden of proof in a civil dispute? | The plaintiff has the burden of proving the facts of the case. |
| When does a defendant bear a burden of proof? | When they file a counterclaim, they must prove it on the balance of probabilities. |
| What is 'party control'? | A feature of the Victorian civil trial system where each party controls how their case is run, within rules of evidence and procedure. |
| How does party control differ from an investigative system? | In an investigative system, an external body seeks out the truth rather than the parties managing the case. |
| What decisions do parties make under party control? | What claims to make, what defences to raise, and which witnesses to call. |
| What is the purpose of disclosing information to the other party? | To share documents relevant to the case and avoid surprises at trial. |
| What is discovery? | A pre-trial process where parties exchange relevant documents. |
| What is an exception to discovery? | When documents have genuinely been lost. |
| What are examples of documents a plaintiff might disclose? | Medical records, emails, or texts showing injury or humiliation. |
| What documents might a defendant disclose if denying a contract? | Records proving they fulfilled their obligations under the contract. |
| Why do parties exchange evidence? | To support their claims or defences with proof. |
| What are the two types of evidence in civil trials? | Lay evidence and expert evidence. |
| What is lay evidence? | Evidence from ordinary people about what they saw or experienced, based on factual observations. |
| Give an example of lay evidence. | A witness who saw the plaintiff slip in a negligence case. |
| What is expert evidence? | Opinion-based evidence from professionals with expertise, e.g., doctors, accountants, or engineers. |
| When is expert evidence used? | In cases involving injury, mental harm, or financial/business loss. |
| What are parties required to do at trial? | Participate by presenting opening/closing addresses, examining witnesses, and cross-examining the other side. |
| Who gives opening and closing addresses if the party has legal representation? | A barrister presents it, while a solicitor may prepare it. |
| What is examination-in-chief? | When a party questions their own witness to prove their case. |
| What is cross-examination? | When a barrister questions the other party’s witness to test their credibility and identify weaknesses in their testimony. |
| What are some similarities between criminal and civil trials? | Both involve disclosure obligations, the opportunity to present a case, and the right to examine and cross-examine witnesses. |
| What is a key difference in discovery between civil and criminal cases? | Only civil defendants have ongoing discovery obligations. |
| Is there usually a jury in civil trials? | No, most civil trials do not involve a jury. |
| What is a key difference in party control between civil and criminal cases? | Party control is limited in criminal trials as prosecutors can’t always choose what evidence to lead. |
| What is a strength of civil procedure? | Parties must disclose all relevant documents, ensuring transparency and fairness. |
| What is another strength of party control? | Parties can run their case how they like and choose which claims or evidence to present. |
| What is a benefit of allowing examination and cross-examination? | It helps test the reliability of evidence and strengthen or weaken a case. |
| What is a weakness of disclosure obligations? | Some parties may not understand what to disclose, potentially harming their own case. |
| What is a weakness for self-represented parties? | Procedures are complex and hard to understand without legal help. |
| What is a weakness of party control? | It can lead to delays, stress, and increased cost as parties must prepare their cases thoroughly. |