New South Wales Consolidated Acts

EVIDENCE ACT 1995 - SECT 81

81 Hearsay and opinion rules: exception for admissions and related representations

(1) The hearsay rule and the opinion rule do not apply to evidence of an admission.

(2) The hearsay rule and the opinion rule do not apply to evidence of a previous representation:

(a) that was made in relation to an admission at the time the admission was made, or shortly before or after that time, and

(b) to which it is reasonably necessary to refer in order to understand the admission.

Specific exclusionary rules relating to admissions are as follows:

• evidence of admissions that is not first-hand (section 82)

• use of admissions against third parties (section 83)

• admissions influenced by violence and certain other conduct (section 84)

• unreliable admissions of accused persons (section 85)

• records of oral questioning of accused persons (section 86)

Example:

D admits to W, his best friend, that he sexually assaulted V. In D’s trial for the sexual assault, the prosecution may lead evidence from W:

(a) that D made the admission to W as proof of the truth of that admission, and

(b) that W formed the opinion that D was sane when he made the admission.