Legal Definitions - rule of completeness

The rule of completeness is an evidentiary rule that requires a party to introduce the entire passage of a writing or an utterance at trial if they introduce a part of it. This is to establish the full context of the evidence.

For example, if a party introduces a sentence from a conversation, the opposing party may require that the remainder of the conversation be read to establish the full context. This rule applies to all types of writings, including account books, and recorded statements.

However, the rule has limitations. The remainder of the evidence must explain the first part, and it cannot be received if it is irrelevant. In most jurisdictions, the remainder is admissible unless its admission would be unfair or misleading.

For instance, if a defendant confesses to a crime but only a part of the confession is introduced, the rule of completeness requires the entire confession to be read to establish the full context of the evidence.

The rule of completeness is also known as the doctrine of completeness, completeness doctrine, optional-completeness rule, and optional-completeness doctrine.