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The trial or main hearing examines and resolves the contested facts. Legal systems differ substantially, however, as to whether and how facts will come to light before trial. Civil-law systems have long relied on judicially guided investigation to uncover relevant facts. Historically, common-law systems relied, largely unsuccessfully, on notice pleadings and trial testimony for the same purpose. Because the parties lacked tools to compel their adversaries to disclose relevant information before trial, trials in common-law systems sometimes resulted in unexpected testimony and surprise revelations by witnesses. Anglo-American courts of equity, by contrast, heard no live testimony, relying instead on written ...(100 of 15995 words)