documentary evidence

Documentary evidence is in many respects considered better than the evidence furnished by witnesses, about which there has always been a certain amount of suspicion. Documentary evidence differs considerably from the evidence of witnesses and is dealt with under special rules.

Discovery of documents is usually possible only in very limited cases, though a party that actually intends to use a document has to make it available to the other side.

…of the case and submit documentary evidence that has not previously been presented. The hearing serves several purposes: it more fully informs the court of the legal and factual contentions of the parties; it narrows the issues that may have been raised by the original pleadings; and it is the…