Rules of Evidence Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental definitions, evidence classifications, admissibility doctrines, and procedural rules under the Philippine Rules of Evidence.

Evidence

The means, sanctioned by the Rules of Court, of ascertaining in a judicial proceeding the truth respecting a matter of fact.

Factum Probandum

The ultimate fact or proposition sought to be established in a judicial proceeding.

Factum Probans

The evidentiary fact or material by which the factum probandum is established.

Autoptic Proference

The presentation or proffer of object (real) evidence directly to the senses of the court in open court for observation or inspection.

Relevant Evidence

Evidence having such a relation to the fact in issue as to induce belief in its existence or non-existence.

Material Evidence

Evidence directed to prove a fact in issue as determined by the rules of substantive law and pleadings.

Competent Evidence

Evidence that is not excluded by the Rules of Court, statutes, or the Constitution.

Direct Evidence

Evidence which proves the fact in dispute without the aid of any inference or presumption.

Circumstantial Evidence

Proof of a fact or facts from which, taken either singly or collectively, the existence of a particular fact in dispute may be inferred as a necessary or probable consequence.

Cumulative Evidence

Evidence of the same kind to the same state of facts.

Corroborative Evidence

Additional evidence of a different character directed to the same point.

Prima Facie Evidence

Evidence that, standing alone, unexplained or uncontradicted, is sufficient to maintain the proposition affirmed.

Conclusive Evidence

The class of evidence which the law does not allow to be contradicted.

Conditional Admissibility

The principle allowing evidence that appears immaterial or irrelevant when offered to be received on condition that other facts will be proved thereafter.

Multiple Admissibility

The rule that when evidence is relevant and competent for two or more purposes, it should be admitted for any or all of those purposes.

Curative Admissibility

The right of a party to introduce incompetent evidence in their behalf when the court has admitted similar incompetent evidence adduced by the adverse party.

Judicial Notice

Cognizance of certain facts which judges may properly take and act on without the necessity of introducing proof.

Judicial Admission

An admission, verbal or written, made by a party in the course of the proceedings in the same case, which does not require proof.

Best Evidence Rule

The rule requiring that when the subject of inquiry is the contents of a document, no evidence shall be admissible other than the original document itself, subject to specific exceptions.

Parol Evidence Rule

The rule stating that when terms of an agreement have been reduced to writing, it is considered as containing all agreed terms, excluding evidence aliunde that modifies, explains, or adds to the written agreement between the parties.

Dead Man Statute

The survivorship disqualification rule prohibiting parties or assignors from testifying as to any matter of fact occurring before the death or insanity of the adverse party in a claim against the estate.

Res Gestae

Spontaneous statements made while a startling occurrence is taking place or immediately surrounding it, or verbal acts accompanying an equivocal act.

Res Inter Alios Acta

The principle that the rights of a party cannot be prejudiced by an act, declaration, or omission of another.

Burden of Proof

The duty of a party to present evidence on the facts in issue necessary to establish his claim or defense by the amount of evidence required by law.

Corpus Delicti

The body or substance of the crime, referring to the actual commission by someone of the particular crime charged.