What defines a lay witness in a court setting?

A lay witness is defined as someone who testifies in a court setting without possessing specialized knowledge or expert qualifications relevant to the subject of their testimony. This type of witness can share observations and experiences based on their personal knowledge, which is typically limited to what they have seen, heard, or experienced directly. For instance, a lay witness might recount events they witnessed during a land dispute but would not provide technical analysis or opinions that require specific expertise, such as surveying techniques or legal interpretations.

In contrast, witnesses with specialized knowledge fall under a different category, as their expertise allows them to interpret and analyze evidence in a manner that is beyond the understanding of a typical person. Additionally, a lay witness does not offer legal advice during proceedings; rather, they present factual information. Furthermore, the term "compellable" refers to whether a witness can be legally required to testify, and while lay witnesses may sometimes be compellable, it is not a defining characteristic of their status as lay witnesses. The essence of being a lay witness is the lack of expert qualifications, which is why this definition is correctly characterized as testifying without expert qualifications.