### Evidence Ordinance 《證據條例》

53. Proof of statements contained in documents
(1) Where a statement contained in a document is admissible as evidence in civil proceedings, it may be proved—
(a) by the production of that document; or
(b) whether or not that document is still in existence, by the production of a copy of that document or of the material part of it,
authenticated in such manner as the court may approve.
(2) It is immaterial for the purpose of subsection (1) how many removes there are between a copy and the original.
(Replaced 2 of 1999 s. 2)[cf. 1995 c. 38 s. 8 U.K.]

54. Proof of records of business or public body
(1) A document which is shown to form part of the records of a business or public body may be received in evidence in civil proceedings without further proof.
(2) A document shall be taken to form part of the records of a business or public body if there is produced to the court a certificate of that effect signed by an officer of the business or body to which the records belong.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)—
(a) a document purporting to be a certificate signed by an officer of a business or public body shall be deemed to have been duly given by such an officer and signed by him; and
(b) a certificate shall be treated as signed by a person if it purports to bear his signature or a facsimile of his signature.
(4) In this section—
business (業務) includes any activity regularly carried on over a period of time, whether for profit or not, by any body (whether corporate or not) or by an individual;
officer (高級人員) includes any person occupying a responsible position in relation to the relevant activities of the business or public body or in relation to its records;
public body (公共機構) includes any executive, legislative, municipal, or urban council, any Government department or undertaking, any local or public authority or undertaking, any board, commission, committee or other body whether paid or unpaid appointed by the Chief Executive or the Government or which has power to act in a public capacity under or for the purposes of any enactment;
records (紀錄) means records in whatever form, and includes computer-generated records.
(5) The court may, having regard to the circumstances of the case, direct that all or any of the provisions of this section do not apply in relation to a particular document or record, or description of documents or records.
(Replaced 2 of 1999 s. 2)[cf. 1995 c. 38 s. 9 U.K.]

### Evidence Ordinance 《證據條例》

55. Statement not contained in business records
(1) In any civil proceedings, the evidence of an officer of a business or public body that any particular statement is not contained in the records of the business or body shall be admissible as evidence of that fact whether or not the whole or any part of the records have been produced in the proceedings.
(2) The evidence referred to in subsection (1) may, unless the court otherwise directs, be given by means of the affidavit of the officer.
(3) Section 54(4) shall apply to the interpretation of this section as it applies to the interpretation of section 54.
(Replaced 2 of 1999 s. 2)[cf. 1988 c. 32 s. 9 U.K.]

55A. Provisions as to rules of court
Any power to make rules of court regulating the practice or procedure of the court in relation to civil proceedings includes power to make such provision as may be necessary or expedient for carrying into effect the provisions of this Part.
(Added 2 of 1999 s. 2)[cf. 1995 c. 38 s. 12(1) U.K.]

55B. Savings
(1) Nothing in this Part affects any powers of the court to exclude evidence on grounds other than that it is hearsay.
(2) Nothing in this Part affects the proof of documents by means other than those specified in section 53, 54 or 55.
(Added 2 of 1999 s. 2)[cf. 1995 c. 38 s. 14(1) & (2) U.K.]

56. (Repealed 2 of 1999 s. 3) Editorial Note:
* For the provision on transitional arrangements in the Evidence (Amendment) Ordinance 1999 (2 of 1999), see section 7 of that Ordinance.

57. (Repealed 2 of 1999 s. 3) Editorial Note:
* For the provision on transitional arrangements in the Evidence (Amendment) Ordinance 1999 (2 of 1999), see section 7 of that Ordinance.

### Evidence Ordinance 《證據條例》

58. Admissibility of expert opinion and certain expressions of non-expert opinion
(1) Subject to any rules, where a person is called as a witness in any civil proceedings, his opinion on any relevant matter on which he is qualified to give expert evidence shall be admissible in evidence. (Amended 65 of 1980 s. 6)
(2) Where a person is called as a witness in any civil proceedings a statement of opinion by him on any relevant matter on which he is not qualified to give expert evidence, if made as a way of conveying relevant facts personally perceived by him, is admissible as evidence of what he perceived.
(3) In this section, relevant matter (有關聯的事宜) includes an issue in the proceedings in question.
(49 of 1973 s. 4 incorporated)[cf. 1972 c. 30 s. 3 U.K.]

### Evidence Ordinance 《證據條例》

66. Abolition of certain privileges
(1) The following rules of law are abrogated except in relation to criminal proceedings, that is to say—
(a) the rule whereby, in any legal proceedings, a person cannot be compelled to answer any question or produce any document or thing if to do so would tend to expose him to a forfeiture; and
(b) the rule whereby, in any legal proceedings, a person other than a party to the proceedings cannot be compelled to produce any deed or other document relating to his title to any land.
(2) The rule of law whereby, in any civil proceedings, a party to the proceedings cannot be compelled to produce any document relating solely to his own case and in no way tending to impeach that case or support the case of any opposing party is abrogated.
(3) A witness in any proceedings instituted in consequence of adultery, whether a party to the proceedings or not, shall not be excused from answering any question by reason that it tends to show that he or she has been guilty of adultery.
(Added 25 of 1969 s. 7) [cf. 1968 c. 64 s. 16(1), (2) & (5) U.K.]

67. Consequential amendments relating to privilege
(1) Any existing enactment, however framed or worded, which in relation to any tribunal, investigation or inquiry (however described) confers on persons required to answer questions or give evidence any privilege described by reference to the privileges of witnesses in proceedings before any court shall, unless the contrary intention appears, be construed as referring to the privileges of witnesses in civil proceedings before that court.
(2) (Repealed 2 of 1977 s. 2)(3) Section 65(5) shall apply for the purposes of this section as it applies for the purposes of that section.
(Added 25 of 1969 s. 7)[cf. 1968 c. 64 s. 17 U.K.]