supernumerary witness

A supernumerary witness is an extra witness that is not required; being beyond the requisite number of witnesses. In law, a supernumerary witness is one whose testimony is considered excessive or unnecessary for the resolution of a legal case. This can occur when multiple witnesses are presented to testify on the same matter, and the additional witness does not provide any new, relevant, or crucial information beyond what has already been established by other witnesses. 

[Last reviewed in June of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]

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