Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2021C00472:section:158
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2021C00472
Segment Type: section
Provision Reference: s 158
Character Range: 177712–179023

158  Evidence of certain public documents
 (1) If:
 (a) a public document, or a certified copy of a public document, of a State or Territory is admissible for a purpose in that State or Territory under the law of that State or Territory; and
 (b) it purports to be sealed, or signed and sealed, or signed alone, as directed by the law of that State or Territory;
it is admissible in evidence to the same extent and for that purpose in all courts:
 (c) without proof of:
 (i) the seal or signature; or
 (ii) the official character of the person appearing to have signed it; and
 (d) without further proof in every case in which the original document could have been received in evidence.
 (2) A public document of a State or Territory that is admissible in evidence for any purpose in that State or Territory under the law of that State or Territory without proof of:
 (a) the seal or signature authenticating the document; or
 (b) the judicial or official character of the person appearing to have signed the document;
is admissible in evidence to the same extent and for any purpose in all courts without such proof.
 (3) This section only applies to documents that are public records of a State or Territory.
Note 2: Section 5 extends the operation of this provision to proceedings in all Australian courts.