Judicial principles and studies

General pardon; permissibility of civil court reliance on evidence from criminal proceedings

Decision reference: تمييز حقوق هيئة عامة رقم (٣٢٤٣/٢٠٢٥)

The study summarizes the rule that a civil court may rely on evidence contained in the criminal case file, including witness statements, and notes limits on such reliance where an appellate finding conflicts with the record.

Updated: 10 September 2026

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Instant summary

The study summarizes the rule that a civil court may rely on evidence contained in the criminal case file, including witness statements, and notes limits on such reliance where an appellate finding conflicts with the record.

Key points

  • Subject
  • Summary
  • Practical significance

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01

Subject

The study addresses the permissibility for a civil trial court to rely on evidence contained in the criminal case file against the accused, including witness testimony heard in that criminal proceeding or the possibility of re-hearing them, and notes Articles 33 and 34 of the Evidence Law as the basis for evaluating such evidence.

02

Summary

- Materials in the criminal file constitute evidence that the trial court may weigh and accept insofar as it finds them convincing, and may reject what it deems without probative value. - Inclusion of the offenses within a general pardon and the resulting dismissal of the public-right action do not prevent the trial court from weighing and relying on evidence appearing in the criminal file. - If an appellate court concludes that the plaintiffs' agent waived personal evidence contrary to what the file shows, or relies on statements in the criminal settlement file without having heard the witnesses before it, while the criminal decision had dismissed the public-right action by pardon, such handling is contrary to the points summarized here.

03

Practical significance

- Trial courts have the authority to assess and rely on evidence contained in criminal files when deciding civil disputes. - Appellate courts should not contradict what is established in the case file or rely on witness statements they did not hear, especially where the criminal file shows dismissal of the public-right action due to a general pardon. Note: This is an educational summary only; it is not judicial text and does not constitute legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

Subject?

The study addresses the permissibility for a civil trial court to rely on evidence contained in the criminal case file against the accused, including witness testimony heard in that criminal proceeding or the possibility of re-hearing them, and notes Articles 33 and 34 of the Evidence Law as the basis for evaluating such evidence.

Summary?

- Materials in the criminal file constitute evidence that the trial court may weigh and accept insofar as it finds them convincing, and may reject what it deems without probative value. - Inclusion of the offenses within a general pardon and the resulting dismissal of the public-right action do not prevent the trial court from weighing and relying on evidence appearing in the criminal file. - If an appellate court concludes that the plaintiffs' agent waived personal evidence contrary to what the file shows, or relies on statements in the criminal settlement file without having heard the witnesses before it, while the criminal decision had dismissed the public-right action by pardon, such handling is contrary to the points summarized here.

Practical significance?

- Trial courts have the authority to assess and rely on evidence contained in criminal files when deciding civil disputes. - Appellate courts should not contradict what is established in the case file or rely on witness statements they did not hear, especially where the criminal file shows dismissal of the public-right action due to a general pardon. Note: This is an educational summary only; it is not judicial text and does not constitute legal advice.

Notice: this article is general educational information and does not constitute legal advice or a final assessment of any matter.

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