Book Description

Practical Guide to Evidence provides a clear and readable account of the law of evidence, acknowledging the importance of arguments about facts and principles as well as rules. The fourth edition has been revised and updated to address the radical changes brought about by the Criminal Justice Act 2003, particularly in relation to hearsay, character evidence and opinion evidence and to expand coverage of the Human Rights Act 1998. Particular attention is given to changes made by the revised Codes of Practice, and to the growing body of case law on topics such as reverse burden of proof, the cross-examination of rape victims, evidence obtained by entrapment, and silence in the face of police questioning. Now including enhanced pedagogical support such as chapter summaries, further reading advice and boxed examples, this leading textbook can be used on both undergraduate and professional courses.