What are oral questions asked under oath of parties and witnesses during legal proceedings called?

The term for oral questions asked under oath of parties and witnesses during legal proceedings is called depositions. During a deposition, attorneys for the involved parties have the opportunity to question witnesses to gather information and to preserve testimonies before a trial takes place. This process allows for a comprehensive exploration of the facts surrounding a legal case, helping to establish the groundwork for the arguments that will be presented in court.

Depositions are significant because they provide an avenue for attorneys to assess the strength of their case and to prepare for cross-examination should the witness appear in court. The recorded testimony is sworn, which means that legal consequences apply if the witness is found to have lied during the deposition.

Other options present different legal concepts: interrogatories refer to written questions that must be answered in writing and under oath, while affidavits are sworn written statements used in court. A summons is a document that notifies a person that they are being sued or required to appear in court. Therefore, the correct answer focuses specifically on the oral aspect of questioning conducted in a legal context, distinguishing it from the written forms and notifications represented by the other choices.