A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Metus perjurii (mee-təs pər-juur-ee-I) is a Latin term used in Scots law. It refers to the fear of committing perjury, which is the act of lying under oath in a court of law.

In the past, the fear of metus perjurii was so strong that the evidence of parties and their relatives was excluded from court cases. This was because it was believed that their personal interest in the outcome of the case might lead them to give false evidence to sway the decision in their favor. However, this is no longer the case, as the desire to obtain all possible evidence and facts in a case has become more important than the fear of perjury.

Example: An example of metus perjurii would be a witness who is afraid to testify in court because they are worried about accidentally lying under oath. This fear can be so strong that they may choose not to testify at all, even if their testimony could be helpful to the case.

Another example would be a defendant who is afraid to take the stand in their own defense because they are worried about accidentally saying something that could be interpreted as a lie. This fear can be so strong that they may choose not to testify, even if it could help their case.

These examples illustrate how metus perjurii can affect the outcome of a court case by preventing witnesses and defendants from testifying. However, it is important to note that lying under oath is a serious offense and can result in criminal charges.