Subjects:

Legal Manuals

Contents:

1. Fundamentals of evidence

2. Burden and standard of proof

3. Presumptions

4. Witnesses

5. Corroboration and suspect witnesses

6. Examination-in-chief

7. Cross examination and re-examination

8. Character evidence: civil cases

9. Character evidence: the defendant in criminal proceedings

10. Character evidence: persons other than the defendant in criminal cases

11. The Rule against Hearsay: Defining Hearsay

12. Hearsay Evidence in Civil Proceedings

13. Hearsay evidence in criminal proceedings

14. Confessions and illegally or improperly obtained evidence

15. Lies and silence

16. Identification evidence

17. Opinion evidence

18. Judgements as evidence of the facts on which they are based

18. Privilege amd public policy

As a case is only as strong as the evidence upon which it is based, a thorough working knowledge of the law of evidence is essential for any barrister, whether in the preparation of the case or in the conduct of litigation in court. This knowledge is indispensable to the criminal and civil practitioner alike, so this manual approaches the law of evidence from both the civil and criminal perspectives to prepare students for practice in either field.

Evidence examines not only the principles of evidence, but also their application in practice, equipping students with the ability to make the best use of the theory they have learnt. A student's understanding of the practical application of the law of evidence is reinforced by realistic examples and problems. The manual also includes a number of case studies, questions, diagrams and charts which will help students to achieve a deeper knowledge of the rules and principles of evidence.

This manual covers all major recent developments in both civil and criminal evidence, including the major changes brought about by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and the subsequent case law.