Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

n/a

Aims

To acquire knowledge and understanding of the substantive law of evidence.

To further develop critical and legal analytical skills.

Outline Of Syllabus

Introduction to the Law of Evidence

General principles of admissibility

Witness testimony

Character evidence

Confessions of silence

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students will be able to

- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main policies and principles of evidence;

- develop a critical appreciation of how evidence has developed in the context of social change.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Subject specific skills

Ability to analyse and discuss the legal framework of the law of evidence

Legal problem-solving. Ability to identify relevant issues, apply relevant concepts, principles and rules, identify evidence needed, make judgements and reach supported conclusions on the basis of sound and informed reasoning;

Ability to write and speak with care and precision in the analysis and synthesis of the law

Ability to structure argument and analysis

Cognitive Skills

Analysis. Identifying and ordering issues by relevance and importance.

Synthesis of materials from diverse sources.

Critical judgement. Discernment between the merits or otherwise of particular arguments.

Evaluation. Making a reasoned choice between competing solutions or arguments.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures and Canvas quizzes enable students to develop their substantive knowledge base regarding the law of evidence, as well as introducing them to criticisms of the state of the law. Individual and group activities assist students in the development of their problem-solving skills, and of their skills in constructing a tightly focused answer: all such tasks require students’ work to be relatively short, and this will require focus on their part in order to complete the activities to a high standard. These tasks will introduce a formative assessment to the module. Individual and group activities, when combined with larger group seminar discussions, are designed to enhance students’ ability to analyse, synthesis, evaluate and offer critical judgements regarding the current state of the law of evidence.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment regime will give students an opportunity to demonstrate the intended knowledge and skill outcomes associated with this module. A balance is struck between demonstrating doctrinal skill and critical ability, by requiring students to complete an essay question and a problem question, and by requiring them to include a critical commentary in their problem question answer.

The in class MCQs and discussion boards provide formative opportunities to help prepare for the summative assessment.

General Notes

N/A