1 F1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

F22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E+W

3 Proof of instrument to validity of which attestation is necessary.E+W

Subject as hereinafter provided, in any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, an instrument to the validity of which attestation is requisite may, instead of being proved by an attesting witness, be proved in the manner in which it might be proved if no attesting witness were alive:

4 Presumptions as to documents twenty years old.E+W

In any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, there shall, in the case of a document proved, or purporting, to be not less than twenty years old, be made any presumption which immediately before the commencement of this Act would have been made in the case of a document of like character proved, or purporting, to be not less than thirty years old.

5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F3E+W

6 Interpretation and savings.E+W

(1)F4. . . “Proceedings”includes arbitrations and references F4. . ..

(2)Nothing in this Act shall—

(a)prejudice the admissibility of any evidence which would apart from the provisions of this Act be admissible; or

(b). . ..

7†Short title, extent and commencement.E+W

(1)This Act may be cited as the Evidence Act 1938.

(2)This Act shall not extend to Scotland or Northern Ireland.

(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F5