This provision has not been checked by a human. The text below was read automatically from the official PDF and has not yet been verified against it, so it may differ from the provision as published — in its wording, its numbering, or where one provision ends and the next begins. For the authorised text, see legislation.vic.gov.au.
An introductory note contained in the Bill gives an outline of the Bill. The Bill sets out the rules of evidence. Generally speaking, the Bill applies to proceedings in State courts and before other persons or bodies required to apply the laws of evidence. Chapter 2 is about how evidence is adduced in proceedings. Chapter 3 is about admissibility of evidence in proceedings. Chapter 4 is about proof of matters in proceedings. Chapter 5 deals with miscellaneous matters. The Dictionary at the end of the Bill defines terms and expressions used in the Bill. The introductory note sets out related legislation and makes it clear that the Bill is in most respects uniform with the Evidence Act 1995 of the Commonwealth (the Commonwealth Act) and the Evidence Act 1995 of New South Wales (the New South Wales Act). The introductory note also explains that the UEAs and this Bill are drafted in identical terms except for minor drafting variations that are required to accord with the drafting style of each jurisdiction. Major differences in content are identified by annotations in the text referencing the UEAs. If one Act contains a provision that is not included in another Act, there is a gap in the numbering of the other Act in order to maintain consistent numbering of the other provisions. The introductory note also indicates that the Evidence Act 2001 of Tasmania (the Tasmanian Act) largely mirrors the UEAs and this Bill, but with some departures. For this reason, the differences between this Bill and the Tasmanian Act are not annotated.