Lying in Court

The plaintiff in a case has filed an affidavit that is full of lies. In fact, some are so obvious that any smart Judge can pick up the lie. Is such lying not an offence?
6 August 2012

Lying in an affidavit is an offence of perjury. The law states that any person who, in any judicial proceeding, or for the purpose of instituting any judicial proceeding, knowingly gives false testimony touching any matter which is material to any question then depending in that proceeding or intended to be raised in that proceeding, is guilty of the misdemeanour termed “perjury”.

It is immaterial whether the testimony is given on oath or otherwise. It is immaterial whether the false testimony is given orally or in writing. Furthermore, any person who aids, abets, counsels, procures, or suborns another person to commit perjury is guilty of the misdemeanour termed “subornation of perjury.”

If guilty, perjury can result in imprisonment of seven years.