Evidence Text and Materials

The adversarial, the logical and the legal. Trial procedure - the judge and the jury. The burden and standard of proof. Police investigation, interrogation and confession. Documentary and real evidence. Immunities from testifying: public interest immunity. Immunities from testifying: private privileges and confidential information. The testimony of witnesses: their reliability, competence and compellability. The testimony of witnesses: the need for supportive evidence. The testimony of witnesses: pre-trial disclosure and examination-in-chief. The testimony of witnesses: the hostile witness and cross-examination. The testimony of witnesses: vulnerable witnesses. Character evidence. Similar fact evidence. The accused as witness. The rule against hearsay - its scope and rationale. Common lawexceptions to hearsay. Statutory exceptions to hearsay proceedings: The Criminal Justice Act 1988 and other animals. Statutory exceptions to hearsay in civil proceedings: Civil Evidence Act 1995. Opinions and the evidence of experts. Matters not requiring full proof.