2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LAW3100 Evidence

20 creditsClass Size: 448

Module manager: Alex Batesmith
Email: A.Batesmith@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisite qualifications

Only one module from the list of pre-requisites is required.

Pre-requisites

LAW1140	Principles of Criminal Law
LAW1141	Introduction to Criminal Law
LAW1260	Criminal Law
LAW2060	Criminal Law
LAW2065	Criminal Law
LAW2066	Criminal Law

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of key evidentiary rules and principles and an understanding of the function of the law of evidence;
- Demonstrate a capacity to identify, analyse, evaluate and interpret significant legal, policy and ethical issues pertaining to the law of evidence;
- Provide reasoned and critical analysis of evidential issues;
- Apply knowledge to practical scenarios;
- Present legal argument coherently and fluently in writing.

Syllabus

This module aims to introduce key rules of evidence in the context of their rationale, their historical development, and modern criminal justice policy. It explores the connection between the rules of evidence and the nature of the common law adversarial trial and aims to promote critical awareness of the balance between the interests of the state and the individual.

The course will cover:
(i) Introduction and terminology;
(ii) Burden and standard of proof in criminal proceedings;
(iii) Witnesses;
(iv) The trial process; evidence-in-chief and cross-examination;
(v) Hearsay;
(vi) Judicial discretion to exclude relevant and otherwise admissible evidence;
(vii) Confessions;
(viii) Inferences from silence.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
On-line Learning	5	1.00	5.00
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	5	1.50	7.50
Private study hours			176.50
Total Contact hours			23.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

The School is committed to providing an excellent student education and experience. This will involve a variety of teaching methods and follow a blended learning model, including meaningful on-campus in-person teaching for all students. Further information regarding teaching delivery will follow

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

A formative assessment opportunity will be provided.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1,500 words	50.00
Assignment	Drafting an advice on evidence or a skeleton argument in relation to a fictional legal scenario	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Students must attempt both components of assessment and gain a mark of over 40% in each element. Where a student receives a mark of 39% or less for either assessment they will not be awarded the credits for the module and must resit the failed assessment(s) to achieve these credits. Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 18/07/2023 14:06:34

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