(1)In civil proceedings evidence shall not be excluded on the ground that it is hearsay.
(2)In this Act—
(a)“hearsay” means a statement made otherwise than by a person while giving oral evidence in the proceedings which is tendered as evidence of the matters stated; and
(b)references to hearsay include hearsay of whatever degree.
(3)Nothing in this Act affects the admissibility of evidence admissible apart from this section.
(4)The provisions of sections 2 to 6 (safeguards and supplementary provisions relating to hearsay evidence) do not apply in relation to hearsay evidence admissible apart from this section, notwithstanding that it may also be admissible by virtue of this section.