Law
Law of Evidence
Module code: M5025
Level 6
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Workshop
Assessment modes: Coursework, Essay
On this module, you’ll study the law of evidence in England and Wales. You’ll also consider some other common law jurisdictions, such as Australia, Canada and the USA.
You’ll explore how changes in evidential rules affect trial fairness, including:
- the presumption of innocence
- burden of proof
- the right to silence.
You’ll also examine how human rights protections relate to evidential rules (e.g confession evidence or sexual history evidence).
Module learning outcomes
- Demonstrate systematic knowledge and understanding of some of the key evidentiary rules and principles within the criminal justice system
- Systematically appreciate the purposes and functions of the law of criminal evidence
- Offer a critical analysis of contemporary developments in criminal evidence in a clear and coherent manner
- Identify, analyse, evaluate and interpret significant legal, policy and ethical issues pertaining to criminal evidence.