Facts bearing upon opinions of experts
AI Assist
Summary
Facts that would otherwise be irrelevant become admissible if they help to support or contradict an expert's opinion. This rule applies only when expert opinion is itself a matter in the case. Such supporting or inconsistent facts can be used to test, confirm or undermine the expert's conclusions.
Example
Priya's neighbour got sick after using a household pesticide. A toxicology expert testifies that chemical X causes the reported symptoms. Proof that other people exposed to chemical X had the same symptoms is relevant because it supports or contradicts the expert's opinion.
Bare Act
Enacted textFacts, not otherwise relevant, are relevant if they support or are inconsistent with the opinions of experts, when such opinions are relevant.
Illustrations.
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(a) The question is, whether A was poisoned by a certain poison. The fact that other persons, who were poisoned by that poison, exhibited certain symptoms which experts affirm or deny to be the symptoms of that poison, is relevant.
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(b) The question is, whether an obstruction to a harbour is caused by a certain sea-wall. The fact that other harbours similarly situated in other respects, but where there were no such sea-walls, began to be obstructed at about the same time, is relevant.
Previous year papers
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