LL6057 - Law of Evidence (2020/21)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2020/21 | ||||||||||
| Module title | Law of Evidence | ||||||||||
| Module level | Honours (06) | ||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||
| School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | ||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||
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| Running in 2020/21(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module provides an introduction to the law of evidence. It will concentrate upon the main concepts and principles of evidence law.
Prior learning requirements
Criminal Law
Module aims
This module aims to enable students to:
1. Understand and discuss the law of evidence
2. Assess the relevance, admissibility and weight of a piece of evidence
3. Critically evaluate the rules of evidence and proposed reforms to them
Syllabus
- Introduction to the law of evidence
- The burden and standard of proof
- The admissibility of evidence including identification evidence; improperly obtained evidence and confessions; hearsay and its exceptions; character evidence; expert and forensic evidence
- Witness evidence, including burden & standard of proof; competence and compellability
Learning and teaching
Teaching will be carried out in lectures and seminars. Lectures will provide a structured overview of the course material and highlight key areas for further research and discussion. Seminars will involve a range of activities including discussion and debates, group work and blended learning activities. Key employability skills including communication skills, critical thinking and research skills will be developed. Legal employability is enhanced by an understanding of the courtroom environment and professional and ethical practices.
The virtual learning environment for this module includes a range of supporting materials, further reading, interactive exercises, discussion space, and assessment information. Students’ engagement with these materials will enable them to explore topics in more depth, gain contextual understanding, develop relevant skills and enhance their IT literacy.
Students will be required to complete advance reading, questions and exercises; to prepare for and participate in both formative and summative assessment; and to engage with online learning materials. Their active participation in a range of in-class and online activities will allow students to develop their understanding of the subject as well as to gauge their progress, understanding and articulation of the issues and to obtain peer and lecturer feedback.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Critically analyse the use of evidential concepts in both the civil and the criminal courts
2. Assess the relevance, admissibility and weight of evidence
3. Critically assess the likely impact of new legislation and proposed reform on the rules of evidence
4. Communicate complex analyses of legal problems within the context of the law of evidence
Assessment strategy
- Formative assessment will include seminar activities and a mock examination question
- Summative assessment will be an examination
Bibliography
NB Students must use the most recent edition of the books cited.
Allen, C, Practical Guide to Evidence, (Routledge-Cavendish)
Dennis, I, The Law of Evidence, (Sweet & Maxwell)
Durston, G, Evidence Text & Materials, (Oxford University Press)
Keane, A, J Griffiths & P McKeown, The Modern Law of Evidence, (Oxford University Press)
Murphy, P, & R Glover, Murphy on Evidence , (Oxford University Press)
Pope, D, & D Hill, Mooting and Advocacy Skills, (Sweet & Maxwell)
Criminal Law Review
Legal databases including Westlaw and Lexis Library.