No more swearing on holy books in court

The Judiciary has announced that people are no longer required to swear on holy books in court.

On Wednesday, the Judiciary published a notice on its Facebook page informing the public that changes were made to the Oaths Act, which was amended by the proclamation of the Miscellaneous Amendments Act 2020.

It said oaths and affirmations will now be taken instead.

In the past, witnesses opted to take an oath or affirmation, rather than swear on a holy book, because of their religious beliefs.

According to the Judiciary’s notice, the oaths and affirmations are:

Oaths for the swearing-in of witnesses

I, (name called), solemnly swear that the evidence, I shall give to the court in this case, shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Oaths for the swearing-in of jurors

I, (name called), solemnly swear to try the issue between the state and the prisoner at the bar and a true verdict give according to the evidence.

Affirmations for the swearing-in of witnesses

I, (name called), do solemnly, sincerely, and truly affirm that the evidence, I shall give to the court in this case, shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Affirmations for the swearing-in of jurors

I, (name called), do solemnly, sincerely, and truly affirm to try the issue between the state and the prisoner at the bar and a true verdict give according to the evidence.