RULE, THE

rule, the.An evidentiary and procedural rule by which all witnesses are excluded from the

courtroom while another witness is testifying <invoking “the rule”>. • The phrase “the rule” is

used chiefly in the American South and Southwest, but it is a universal practice to exclude

witnesses before they testify. [Cases: Criminal Law 665; Federal Civil Procedure 2012; Trial

41. C.J.S. Criminal Law § 1195; Trial § 155.] [Blacks Law 8^th]