verbatim

A verbatim record reproduces what was said or written without summary or paraphrase. Courts require the exact words in a number of settings: a dying declaration is best recorded in the declarant's own words, the words of an alleged defamatory statement must be set out in the pleading, and a statute or contract clause in issue should be quoted verbatim.

In examination answers, quote a section verbatim only if you are sure of the text; an accurate paraphrase is better than a wrong quotation.

Example

The plaint must set out the defamatory words verbatim, since the court has to decide whether those very words lower the plaintiff's reputation.

See also

dying declaration · defamation · pleadings

Read more in the study notes

• The Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita)
• From the IPC to the BNS: background, extent and key reforms (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)
• False evidence and offences against public justice (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)
• Res gestae, motive, conduct, identification, conspiracy and alibi (sections 4 to 9) (Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam)
• Dying declarations (section 26(a)) (Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam)
• Burden of proof: the general rules (Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam)