legal-terms
What is &#39;Direct&#39; about Direct Examination? Why was it chosen?
<p>Source: <a href="https://store.lexisnexis.ca/en/categories/shop-by-jurisdiction/ontario-10/ontario-small-claims-court-a-practical-guide-skusku-cad-00935/details" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><em>Ontario Small Claims Court - A Practical Guide</em></a> (2011), p. 12.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>(i) Direct Examination of the Plaintiff</p>
<p><strong>§1.31</strong> Following the opening statements, the parties will then embark on the
<em>evidential stage</em>. The plaintiff (the one with the complaint) is first to present
his case. The self-represented plaintiff will testify in support of his pleaded
case. If he has relevant documents (which can include photographs, emails,
videotapes and sound recordings), then he will introduce them one by one as
they are marked as exhibits. If the plaintiff is represented (for instance, by a
lawyer or a paralegal), the representative will question him in the context of
the issues. That examination is called &quot;direct examination&quot; or &quot;examination
in chief'.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Abbreviate Direct Examination to DE. What motivated the choice of 'Direct'?</p>
<p>My guess: In a DE, the witness should be on the questioning lawyer's side, and so should be answering the lawyer's question helpfully or cooperatively? But how's this direct?</p>

<p>See <a href="https://law.stackexchange.com/a/24007/333">my answer to your other question</a>.</p>

<p>Direct examination is so called because the witness was called by the party examining the witness.  Since there is nothing (figuratively) to cross, the examination may proceed directly.</p>
