Table of Contents

Preface

A. RETENTION OF THE OATH

1.1 Introduction

1.2 The nature and purposes of the oath

1.3 Non-Christian oaths

1.4 Consequences of Omychund v. Barker

1.5 Further points as to the oath

1.6 Mentally ill or intoxicated persons

1.7 Merits of the oath

1.8 Arguments of principle: (1) primitive nature of the oath stated

1.9 Arguments of principle: (1) primitive nature of the oath considered

1.10 Arguments of principle: (2) future divine punishment for lying

1.11 Arguments of principle: (2) future divine punishment for lying considered

1.12 Arguments of principle: (3) the oath as a reminder of religious duty is superfluous

1.13 Arguments of principle: (3) superfluity of the oath considered

1.14 Arguments of principle: (4) decline of oath

1.15 Arguments of principle: (4) decline of oath considered

1.16 Arguments of principle: (5) incongruity of serious oaths in trivial cases

1.17 Arguments of principle: (5) incongruity of oaths considered

1.18 Arguments of principle: (6) oath and perjury prosecutions

1.19 Arguments of principle: (6) oath and perjury prosecutions considered

1.20 Arguments of principle: (7) oath and affirmation

1.21 Arguments of principle: (7) oath and affirmation considered

1.22 Arguments of principle: (8) invasion of privacy

1.23 Arguments of principle: (8) invasion of privacy considered

1.24 Arguments of principle: (9) tendency of present law to produce obscurantism

1.25 Arguments of principle: (9) tendency of present law to produce obscurantism considered

1.26 Arguments of principle: conclusion

1.27 Increased formalities

1.28 Increased solemnity: Oaths Act, 1900, s.11A(2) and (3)

1.29 Increased solemnity: Oaths Act, 1900, s.13(3)

1.30 The Oaths Act, 1900, s.13: a gap

1.31 The Oaths Act, 1900, s.13: another gap

1.32 The Oaths Act, 1900, s.13: closing the two gaps

1.33 Evidence Act amendments proposed: s.211 (3): nature of an oath

1.34 Evidence Act amendments proposed: s.212: incapacity to take an oath or make an affirmation

1.35 Further considerations: inquiries into incompetence

1.36 Further considerations: persons producing documents

1.37 Judges and counsel giving unsworn evidence

B. THE EVIDENCE OF CHILDREN

2.1 Sworn evidence

2.2 Judicial examination

2.3 Relevance of age

2.4 Unsworn evidence

2.5 Problems of children's evidence

2.6 The proposal summarised

2.7 Draft Bill: the age of twelve

2.8 Children below twelve

2.9 Repeals

2.10 Punishment for untruthful evidence

2.11 Depositions

C. PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE LAW

Appendix: Draft Bill

Tables:

Statutes and Codes

References to Draft Bill

Cases

Abbreviations (references)

Index