Subjects:

Evidence

Contents:

1. Introduction

2. Confessions

3. The Right to Silence and the Privilege against Self Incrimination

4. Identification Evidence

5. Investigatory Impropriety: Violations of Article 8 and Undercover Police Operations

6. Public Interest Immunity

7. Legal Professional Privilege

8. Character Evidence

9. Hearsay Evidence

10. Expert Evidence

11. Witnesses

12. Burden and Standard of Proof

13. Proof without Evidence

14. The Course of Evidence

15. Evidence: The Future

This new and exciting textbook provides a clear account of the key principles of the law of civil and criminal evidence in England and Wales, presented in a clear, accessible and readable manner. Although the book takes the relevant legal principles as the basis for discussion, it sets these principles against the background of a consideration of more fundamental issues such as the rationales underlying the law of evidence. The book achieves a sucessful mix of critical and thought-provoking analysis.

Current debates such as those relating to the implications of the Human Rights Act 1998, which "incorporates" the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic law, are considered fully. The book includes a full discussion of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which changes fundamentally the law relating to hearsay and bad character. Where appropriate, the state of the law in other jurisdictions is examined. So too are the academic literature and the work of bodies like the Law Commission.

• The text provides a readable and accessible coverage which will equip students with a good understanding of a difficult subject
• The implications of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 are considered fully
• Covers the key principles of the law of civil and criminal evidence in an accessible manner making it easily readable for students
• Accompanied by a companion web site which will provide updates and web-links for students