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The Daily Insight

What is a watching brief law?

Author

Eleanor Gray

Updated on May 19, 2026

What is a watching brief law?

A watching brief is a method normally used in criminal cases by lawyers to represent clients not directly a party to the suit and to function as an observer. The method is normally used to help protect the rights and interests of victims of a crime, or also to protect a defendant from possible malicious prosecution.

What does it mean to hold watching brief?

From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English ˈwatching ˌbrief noun [countable] British English instructions to someone to watch a situation carefully but not to become involved in it One of his responsibilities is to keep a watching brief on foreign broadcasts.

What is holding brief?

“Holding brief” is a kind of professional arrangement between two lawyers where one lawyer is standing in temporarily for other lawyer in a case until the other lawyer is available to continue with the handling of his case personally.

Who can be a complainant in a criminal case?

A victim or the person who has knowledge about the commission of a crime can file a complaint under Section 200 in the Code Of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The Magistrate who takes the cognisance of an offence upon complaint examines the complainant and the witness, if any, upon oath.

What is a watching brief construction?

Watching briefs are an ongoing process designed to ensure archaeological remains are identified, investigated and recorded before and during development. Watching briefs are an ongoing process designed to ensure archaeological remains are identified, investigated and recorded before development.

What is a watching brief South Africa?

Court Watching Briefs: Introduction It entails the regular court attendance by qualified staff members during which they monitor and report the conduct, efficiency and effectiveness of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in criminal matters being heard at court.

What is a watching brief ecology?

What is an Ecological Watching Brief? A ‘watching brief’ is simply a term used to describe an onsite ecologist who oversees all of the work and makes sure it complies with wildlife legislation and what has been set out in the original report by the ECoW.

How do you announce an appearance when holding a brief?

The appropriate ways of announcing appearance in courts are as follows: “May it please the Court, S. O. Akobe, for the State.” “May it please Your Lordship(s)/My Lord(s)/Your Worship/Honour(s) (as the case may be), my name is S.O.

What does hold ransom mean?

phrase. If you say that someone is holding you to ransom in British English, or holding you for ransom in American English, you mean that they are using their power to try to force you to do something which you do not want to do.

What is CR case in court?

Cr. means crime. It is a stage before a criminal case is registered. After case is registered it is called CC. Implication – Cr. is the initial stage at the hands of police that matures to pucca CC at the hands of the court.

What is opposite of complainant?

Main entry: plaintiff, complainant. Definition: a person who brings an action in a court of law. Antonyms: defendant, suspect. Definition: a person or institution against whom an action is brought in a court of law; the person being sued or accused.

What is a watching brief in construction?