examine-in-chief
C2 (Very low frequency; highly specialised legal term)Formal, Legal, Technical
Definition
Meaning
To question or interrogate (a witness) as the primary examiner in a legal proceeding, typically by the party who called the witness.
To lead the main questioning or investigation in a formal or structured setting, such as a parliamentary inquiry, disciplinary hearing, or academic defence.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A phrasal verb formed from the noun 'examination-in-chief' (UK) or 'direct examination' (US). Its use as a verb ('to examine-in-chief') is less common than the noun form and is almost exclusively found in legal writing or discussion among legal professionals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the process is called 'examination-in-chief'. In the US, the equivalent term is 'direct examination'. The verb 'to examine-in-chief' is understood in the UK, while a US lawyer would 'conduct a direct examination' or 'question on direct'.
Connotations
Implies a structured, non-adversarial initial questioning by one's own counsel, aimed at eliciting a coherent narrative from the witness. Contrasts with 'cross-examine'.
Frequency
The verb form is rare even in legal contexts. The noun 'examination-in-chief' is standard UK legal terminology.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Counsel/Barrister] + examine-in-chief + [witness/expert]It is + [time/role] + to + examine-in-chief + [witness]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The meat and drink of the case came out in the examine-in-chief.”
- “His case was made in chief.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, except in law schools discussing courtroom procedure.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Exclusively legal procedural terminology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The Crown prosecutor will then examine-in-chief the arresting officer.
- Having called the witness, her junior was nervous to examine-in-chief.
American English
- The attorney proceeded to directly examine the witness. (Note: 'examine-in-chief' is not used; 'directly examine' or 'question on direct' is used.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In a British court, the barrister who calls a witness must examine-in-chief first.
- The purpose of examine-in-chief is to get the witness's story before the court.
- The skill in examining-in-chief lies in asking open questions that allow the witness to narrate events coherently, without leading them.
- After the prosecution had examined-in-chief, the defence counsel rose to cross-examine.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the barrister as the CHIEF questioner for their own side, building their case IN the witness CHAIR.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW IS A THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE (The barrister 'directs' their witness in the first act).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'главный экзаменатор' (chief examiner in an academic setting). The concept is specifically adversarial legal procedure. A near equivalent is 'допрос своей стороной'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it outside a legal context.
- Saying 'examine in chief' without hyphens when used as a compound verb.
- Confusing it with 'cross-examine'.
- Using it as a noun (e.g., 'He did an examine-in-chief' - incorrect; should be 'He conducted the examination-in-chief').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the verb 'to examine-in-chief'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely specialised legal term used almost exclusively by legal professionals in jurisdictions that follow British common law procedure.
'Examine-in-chief' is the initial questioning of a witness by the party who called them, to present their evidence. 'Cross-examine' is the subsequent questioning by the opposing party, intended to test or challenge that evidence.
No, the equivalent American procedure is called 'direct examination'. An American attorney 'directly examines' or 'questions on direct' a witness.
The standard noun form is 'examination-in-chief'. Using 'examine-in-chief' as a noun (e.g., 'the long examine-in-chief') is considered non-standard and a common mistake.