What condition must be met for business records to be admissible in court?

For business records to be admissible in court, it is essential that they are regularly kept in the course of business. This principle is rooted in the idea that such records, maintained on a systematic basis, reflect a routine practice of an organization and are more likely to be accurate and reliable. The reliability of business records stems from the procedures that require their creation and maintenance as part of a business's operations, thus ensuring they capture true transactional or operational data.

The requirement for records to be regularly kept aligns with legal standards that prioritize the integrity and trustworthiness of evidence presented in court. This framework allows judges and juries to have confidence in the information contained within these documents, which are often used to prove facts in civil and criminal proceedings.

Other options like containing personal opinions, needing to be recent, or requiring witness signatures do not meet the established criteria for admissibility of business records. Personal opinions can introduce bias and may not contribute to factual accuracy. While recency can be a relevant factor, it is not a strict requirement for admissibility in terms of regularity. Finally, signatures of witnesses are unnecessary, as the authenticity and reliability of the record itself is bolstered by its consistent maintenance rather than by individual attestations.