An oath made between others ought neither to hurt nor to benefit a stranger.

Explanation

The binding force of an oath extends only to the parties involved; third parties are neither bound by, nor entitled to rely upon, sworn statements made in proceedings to which they were not privy.

Where this applies

• Someone else's sworn testimony in another case is being used against me.
• An oath given in a different proceeding between different people is being brought into my case.
• They want to use a sworn statement from a trial I wasn't part of.

See also

• 9.1.5 No one ought to be a witness in his own cause.
• 9.2.5 In court, no one is believed unless under oath.