A party or a person identified with a party may be called as a witness and examined by the adverse party in accordance with Louisiana Code of Evidence Articles 607 and 611.
Art. 1634.Cross-Examination of a Party Or Person Identified With a Party
Book II. Ordinary Proceedings · Title V. Trial · Chapter 4. Trial Procedure · Last amended 1989 · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 1634 lets a party call the opposing party, or someone identified with that party, as a witness and examine them under the Louisiana Code of Evidence's cross-examination and leading-question rules.
Full Text of Art. 1634
Amendment History
Amended by Acts 1970, No. 406, §1; Acts 1988, No. 515, §2, eff. 1/1/1989.
Plain-English Summary
A litigant is not limited to calling only friendly or neutral witnesses. Article 1634 lets a party call the opposing party, or a person identified with that party, such as an officer of a corporate party, as a witness at trial.
The examination follows Louisiana Code of Evidence Articles 607 and 611, which let the calling party use leading questions and treat the witness as if on cross-examination, even though this witness technically appears at the other side's call. In practice, that lets a party pin down facts from the person with the strongest incentive not to state them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a plaintiff call the defendant to testify as a witness?
Yes. Article 1634 lets a party call the opposing party, or a person identified with that party, as a witness.
What rules govern this kind of examination?
Louisiana Code of Evidence Articles 607 and 611.
Can the questioning party use leading questions on the opposing party?
Yes. Examination under Articles 607 and 611 permits treating this witness the way a cross-examination would.
Source & verification. Article text is reproduced verbatim from
the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure (legis.la.gov). Enacted by the Louisiana Legislature.
Last verified July 30, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: calling opposing party as witness louisianacross examination adverse party louisianala code civil procedure article 1634leading questions opposing party louisiana trialperson identified with a party