in chie

IN CHIEF. Evidence is said to be in chief when it is given in support of the 
case opened by the leading counsel. Vide To Open, Opening. The term is used 
to distinguish evidence of this nature from evidence obtained on a cross-
examination. (q.v.) 3 Chit. 890. By evidence in chief is sometimes meant 
that evidence, which is given in contradistinction to evidence which is 
obtained on the witness voir dire. 
     2. Evidence in chief should be confined to such matters as the 
pleadings and the opening warrant, and a departure from this rule, will be 
sometimes highly inconvenient, if not fatal. Suppose, for example, that two 
assaults have been committed, one in January and the other. in February, and 
the plaintiff prove his cause of action to have been the assault in January, 
he cannot abandon that, and afterwards prove another committed in February 
unless the pleadings and openings extend to both. 1 Campb R. 473. See also, 
6 Carr. & P. 73; S. C. 25 E. C. L. R. 288; 1 Mood. & R. 282.