Concepts of relevance & admissibility

The concept of relevance governs the admission and use of evidence. If the evidence does not
relate directly or indirectly to the issue at hand, it should not be admitted as proof.

The term relevance in this context means that the evidence in question is closely connected or
logically related to the matter at hand. Relevant evidence is the evidence that is logically connected
to the fact that is being established.

The term relevance refers to the degree of connection between a fact that is given in evidence and
the issue to be proved. A fact is relevant only when it is closely related to the fact in issue.

The term admissibility refers to the process whereby the court determines whether the law of
evidence permits that relevant evidence, to be received by the court or not.

An irrelevant fact is normally not admissible in the court. However, in certain cases, evidence, which
is not relevant, may still be admissible. The evidence act delineates a distinct line between relevant
& irrelevant facts, and admissible & inadmissible facts.

All the facts which provide some sort of evidence to the

circumstance (occasion), cause and effect of the fact in issue can be taken as relevant in a case.

Circumstantial evidence is the type of evidence which tends to prove a fact by proving the
circumstances or events from which the fact basically evolved. The term refers to the surrounding
facts.

If a motive or preparation is present in any fact relating to a fact in issue, that fact can be taken as
relevant. Any fact such as a motive or preparation for a crime which is necessary to explain any fact
in issue is relevant in a proceeding. Similarly, anything said or done as part of a conspiracy in
reference to a common design is also a relevant fact.

On the other hand, any fact that remains inconsistent with a fact in issue is also a relevant fact even
if it is irrelevant otherwise. An irrelevant fact will become a relevant one if it makes the existence or
nonexistence of any fact in issue a reality. In deciding a compensatory claim for damages, any fact
including the irrelevant one which is helpful in arriving at the damage, becomes relevant. When a
right or custom is being contested in a case, the related things that created such a right or custom
become relevant.

The facts relating to the state of bodily feeling – such as a state of mind like mental ill-health or
animosity – are relevant ones. Similarly, in order to know whether something done is quite
accidental or intentional, or done with a particular intention or knowledge, it must be examined
whether it forms part of a natural series of closely connected or related events. If any act forms part
of a natural transaction of events, one cannot attribute a particular intention in its occurrence.
Likewise, the course of a business, such as an instance of sale or an act of mortgage, is relevant if a
fact in issue forms part of such a natural or unnatural course in a business.