Interrogatories, written questions addressed on behalf of one party to a cause, before the trial thereof, to the other party, who is bound to answer them in writing upon oath.
In the Courts of Equity either party could from very early times interrogate the other. In the Courts of Law this power was first given by the (English) Common Law Procedure Act, 1854, s. 51, which, however, only allowed it to be exercised by leave of the Court or a judge. Under the present practice interrogatories can only be administered in the High Court by leave of the Court, i.e., a Master at Chambers, and the particular questions proposed to be asked must be submitted for his approval; a sum, generally 5l., may be ordered to be paid into Court as security for costs. See R.S.C. 1883, Ord. XXXI., and consult Bray or Ross on Discovery. As to interrogatories in the County Courts, see C.C. Rules, 1903, Ord. XVI. An order for interrogatories cannot be made in an arbitration under the (English) Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906 (Sutton v. G.N. Ry., 1909; 2 KB 791). But see 1925 Act, Sched. I., s. 6