Available in 2024
Course code

LAWS4004

Units

10 units

Level

4000 level

Course handbook

Description

Introduces students to the legal rules and principles governing the adducing of evidence and proof of facts in civil and criminal trials. Topics covered include relevance, competence and compellability, privilege, kinds of evidence, the examination of witnesses, burdens and standards of proof, illegally obtained evidence and the various exclusionary rules, such as hearsay, opinion, admissions, credibility and tendency/coincidence. The Evidence Acts 1995 (NSW) & (Cth) form the backbone to the course.


Availability2024 Course Timetables

Newcastle City Precinct

  • Semester 1 - 2024

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles and rules of evidence law used in the process of fact-finding in both civil and criminal litigation in New South Wales and in the Federal jurisdiction

2. Demonstrate a developing ability to use legal analysis effectively in application of the relevant principles and rules of evidence law to a range of factual problems.

3. Demonstrate some critical appreciation of the way in which the rules of evidence operate and are applied in the context of the trial process.

4. Demonstrate effective communication skills in the oral seminar discussions and written presentation of assessment tasks based on the course materials.


Content

This course will introduce students to the legal rules governing the adducing of evidence and proof of facts in civil and criminal trials. The course is structured to meet the admission requirements for practice as a legal practitioner in New South Wales and the other Australian States and Territories.Topics covered will include relevance, kinds of evidence, competence and compellability, privileges, adducing evidence in court, the examination of witnesses, burdens and standards of proof, discretionary exclusion of evidence including illegally obtained evidence and judicial warning as to unreliable evidence. Also, the exclusionary rules relating to admissibility of evidence will be covered, namely, the rule against hearsay and its exceptions, the opinion rule, admissions and confessions, character and credibility, tendency and coincidence, and documentary evidence.The course is based on the "Uniform Evidence Law" with the main focus on the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW). Reference will also be made to the counterpart Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) and particularly to where there are differences in specific provisions of the legislation. 


Requisite

This course is only available to students enrolled in the programs:

[12340] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12341] Bachelor of Social Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12342] Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12343] Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice/Bachelor of Laws(Honours)

[12346] Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[12347] Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Diploma of Legal Practice

[12348] Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40036] Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40037] Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40129] Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40130] Bachelor of Development Studies/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40150] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40188] Bachelor of Global Indigenous Studies/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40189] Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40272] Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40279] Bachelor of Coastal and Marine Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40280] Bachelor of Biomedicine/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[40290] Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

[50005] Bachelor of Media and Communication/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)


Assumed knowledge

LAWS1010, LAWS1011, LAWS1020, LAWS1021, LAWS2030, LAWS3040, LAWS3041, and LAWS4003.


Assessment items

Written Assignment: Problem solving exercise

Formal Examination: Examination: Formal

Quiz: Online Mid Semester Quiz


Contact hours

Semester 1 - 2024 - Newcastle City Precinct

Seminar-2
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1

Course outline