In legal proceedings, what does 'exhibit' refer to?

In legal proceedings, an 'exhibit' refers specifically to a document or item presented as evidence in court. Exhibits can be anything from written contracts and photographs to physical objects that are relevant to the case being tried. They are intended to support the arguments of the parties involved by providing tangible proof that can corroborate claims made during the trial. When a party introduces an exhibit, it must often be marked, authenticated, and sometimes shown to have relevance and admissibility according to the rules of evidence.

Other options, while related to legal proceedings, cover different concepts. A witness statement given under oath refers to testimony provided by individuals who may have knowledge relevant to the case, but this does not fall under the definition of an exhibit. A legal ruling made by a judge pertains to decisions or orders issued during the course of the trial, which also isn’t classified as an exhibit. Finally, a summary of trial proceedings would generally provide an overview of what occurred during the trial, lacking the specific contextual function of an exhibit in supporting the admissibility of evidence.