Subjects:

Evidence

Contents:

Introduction

1. Relevance and admissibility of evidence

2. Presumptions and the burden of proof

3. Witnesses: competence, compellability and various privileges

4. The course of the trial

5. Witnesses' previous consistent statements and remnants of the rule against narrative

6. Character and credibility

7. Evidence of the defendant's bad character

8. The opinion rule and the presentation of expert evidence

9. The rule against hearsay

10. Confessions

11. Drawing adverse inferences from a defendant's omissions, lies or false alibis

12. Identification evidence

13. Documents

Index

Out Of Print

Like its predecessors, the third edition of Evidence sets out in a readable style the leading rules of the Law of Evidence. This new edition takes full account of the profound changes that have occurred within this fast-evolving area of law since the previous edition. Indeed, much of the book has been completely re-written in order to accommodate both the major reforms effected by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and the not insignificant developments that have taken place within the relevant case law.

The book covers all the major topics of the Law of Evidence. Although essentially designed as an introduction to the subject, it does not shy from subjecting some issues to a more searching and critical treatment, if they happen to present particular interest.

Students sometimes find the Law of Evidence an intimidating subject. This lively, and in places entertaining, text, in the words of the song, may offer that spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down. In any event, this work provides all the basic information the student is likely to need when studying on LLB, LPC, and Bar Vocational courses.