Page 346 - Magistrates Conference 2019

original has been lost or destroyed, or there is some other good explanation as to why the original
cannot be produced, a copy may be produced as it is the best evidence that is now available. It

must be proved to be an examined copy extract or provided it purports to be signed and certified
as a true copy or extract by the officer to whose custody the original is entrusted. The officer

who is hereby required to furnish such certified copy or extract to any person so applying upon

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payment of a fee for the same 18 cents for every folio of ninety six words.
Where the document is in respect of electronic records and printouts of electronic records, the

best evidence rule is applied and it is satisfied on proof of the integrity of the electronic records
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system and printout of the electronic records storage and record keeping .

Examples of documents that can be admitted as evidence consists of:

a. public documents (statutes, parliamentary material, judicial documents or public

registers);
b. private documents (business records, agreements, deeds);

c. plans, reports and certificates;
d. statements in documents produced by computers;

e. tape recordings and photographs.

Grenada

Evidence includes all documents produced for the inspection of the Court; such documents are
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called documentary evidence.
“Document” also includes, in addition to a documents in writing:

a. any map, plan, graph or drawing;
b. any photograph;

c. any disc, tape, soundtrack or other device in which sounds or other data are embodied so
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as to be capable of being reproduced therefrom.

9 Dominica - Evidence Ordinance Cap. 64, section 22
10 Dominica - Electronic Evidence Act No. 13 of 2010, section 6
11 Grenada – Evidence Act Cap. 92, section 2, 37, 59 – 63, 72 – 76.
12 Grenada – Evidence Act Cap. 92, sections 36A – 36J only
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