Under the Evidence Act, what must be proven about a proposed witness under 14 years old?

The requirement that a proposed witness under 14 years old must understand the nature of the oath is rooted in the principle that a witness must be able to comprehend the significance of telling the truth in a legal context. This understanding is crucial since the integrity of testimony is predicated on the witness's ability to appreciate the moral and legal obligation involved in giving evidence. If a young witness does not understand this, their testimony may be deemed unreliable or not credible.

In the context of the choices, the focus on understanding the nature of the oath reflects a fundamental safeguard in the legal process. It ensures that even though the witness may be young, their evidence can still carry weight if they grasp the importance of truthfulness in their testimony.

The other options do not address this core requirement directly. The notion of availability for cross-examination, while important, does not specifically pertain to the witness's understanding of their responsibility in giving testimony. The requirements for signed documentation and prior testimonial experience are not stipulated as necessary prerequisites for a witness under this age, making them less relevant to establishing a witness's competency in understanding the oath's nature.