Question

"Witnesses are the eyes and ears of Justice". Whose statement is this

• A. Lord Atkin
• B. Bentham
• C. Lord Denning
• D. Phipson

Hint:

Associating key legal maxims with their originators is useful for law exams. Jeremy Bentham is a central figure in the theory of evidence, so quotes about witnesses, proof, and judicial procedure are often linked to him.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify the source of a famous legal maxim that highlights the fundamental importance of witnesses in the administration of justice. The metaphor emphasizes that courts are blind and deaf to the facts of a case until they are illuminated by the testimony of witnesses.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
This powerful and widely quoted statement is attributed to Jeremy Bentham, an English philosopher, jurist, and social reformer regarded as the founder of modern utilitarianism. Bentham wrote extensively on judicial procedure and the law of evidence. He believed that the primary goal of the legal system should be the pursuit of truth and that procedural rules should be designed to maximize the discovery of facts. In his view, witnesses were the primary conduit through which the court could perceive the reality of the events in dispute. Hence, he referred to them as the "eyes and ears of justice."
Step 3: Final Answer:
The statement "Witnesses are the eyes and ears of Justice" is attributed to Bentham.