Module catalogue: LL6076

LL6076 - The Law of Criminal Evidence (2026/27)

Module specification

Module approved to run in 2026/27, but may be subject to modification

Module title

The Law of Criminal Evidence

Module level

Honours (06)

Credit rating for module

School

Guildhall School of Business and Law

Total study hours

150

114 hours	Guided independent study
36 hours	Scheduled learning & teaching activities

Assessment components

Type	Weighting	Qualifying mark	Description
Coursework	100%		Up to 2,000 words case study and/or critical essay

Running in 2026/27

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)

Period	Campus	Day	Time	Module Leader
Autumn semester	North	-	-
Spring semester	North	-	-

Module summary

The Law of Criminal Evidence concerns the information which it is permitted to use to enable the prosecution to establish their case against a defendant, or to enable the defendant to refute the allegations made against him.

It is not every supposed fact that may be brought in evidence in a trial, as the court has limited time and resources to hear everything – however trivial – that the parties might wish to throw into the debate, and there are a host of issues relating to such matters as unfairness or undue prejudice (especially to the defendant in a criminal case), mistakes, unreliability of witnesses, human rights and public policy which might impact on the propriety of permitting certain statements or documents to be admitted as evidence.

This module examines the rules and ethics of the law of evidence, which have arisen both at common law and under statute and invites to students critically to analyse these principles both in a theoretical context, and by practical application to realistic case-studies.

The aims of the module are as follows:
1. You will acquire knowledge of the rules and ethics of the law of evidence, which have arisen both at common law and under statute.
2. You will develop several key transferable skills, including independent research, critical analysis and cogent academic writing in the context of the law of evidence, emphasising the use of primary and secondary sources;
3. Students will enhance their employability by the development of these skills, and by the practice of written communication activities (including summative) and oral communication activities (formative only).
4. You will gain increasing confidence, self-efficacy and emotional resilience as a result of sharing your opinions and research with other students in tutorial activities and group work. This is in accordance with the Identity, Personalisation and Reflection aims of the ESJ.

Syllabus

1. Introduction to the Law of Evidence
2. The Burden and Standard of Proof
• Legal burden
• Evidential burden
• Reverse burden
3. The Admissibility of Evidence
• Identification evidence
• Improperly obtained evidence
• Confessions
• Hearsay and its exceptions
• Character evidence
• Expert and forensic evidence
• Evidence in sexual offences
• Right to silence
4. Witness Evidence
• Competence and compellability
• Witness examination
• Vulnerable witnesses
5. Judicial Ethics

All these subjects pervade each of the Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3.

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

Learning & Teaching Strategy
Weekly two-hour lecture and one-hour seminar.
The lecture will be used for:
• Dissemination of knowledge through an overview of each topic with detailed guidance on appropriate aspects;
• An introduction to relevant academic literature;
• Guidance on learning strategies;
• Use of WebLearn and IT resources;
• Whole group questions and discussion.

The seminar will be used for the development of skills necessary to attain the module learning outcomes through:
• Written and oral questions/answers designed to reinforce fundamental rules, principles and cases;
• A range of step-by-step analytical exercises;
• Problem solving;
• IT tasks, such as research of cases and statutes;
• Legal writing;
• Oral presentation;
• Oral communication;
• Teamwork.

Blended Learning
All learning materials, previous examination questions and sample Q/A’s will be on blackboard for use in directed private study
Student engagement will be encouraged in both lectures and seminars through weekly use of WebLearn for access to all of the above materials.
There will be required use of the professional legal databases, especially Westlaw and Lexis Library, for legal research.

Opportunities for reflective learning/pdp
Each weekly seminar will contain space for students to reflect on what they have learnt in relation to the overall syllabus. There will be frequent feedback opportunities structured into the timetable and a range of sample answers posted onto WebLearn.

Employability
Employability strategy will aim to acquaint students with a range of employment avenues both in the legal profession and in those professions into which legal qualifications and skills are transferable.

Student’s Study Responsibilities
The need for attendance, punctuality, preparation and engagement will be emphasised with particular reference to written and IT research, problem-solving, team-work, discussion, debate and critical awareness of the subject

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

1, Demonstrate a systematic understanding of key aspects of the syllabus.

2. Demonstrate the ability critically to discuss case study problems relating to the syllabus, devising and sustaining arguments, and showing appreciation of uncertainties and ambiguities in legal principles and policy.

3. Demonstrate the ability to write critical, discursive essays relating to the topics covered in the syllabus, commenting on current research and primary sources.

Bibliography