Module Details

Module Code: LAWS H2311
Module Title: Evidence 1
Title: Evidence 1
Module Level:: 8
Credits:: 5
Module Coordinator: Eileen Doyle
Module Author:: Ivan Sheeran
Domains:  
Module Description: The aim of this module is to provide students with a solid knowledge and understanding of the burdens and standards of proof that apply in civil and criminal proceedings together with the rules that apply to the examination of witnesses and the treatment of witness evidence.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Distinguish between the various burdens and standards of proof required in criminal and civil proceedings and explain the importance of such distinctions.
LO2 Discuss the competence and compellability of different categories of witness and the rules that govern the examination of witnesses (including an accused in a criminal case) in court.
LO3 Describe the rules on corroboration and the circumstances in which cautionary warnings must or may be given by a trial judge.
LO4 Critically analyse the law and employ knowledge and understanding in solving relevant problems.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Basic Concepts of Evidence
• Basic Terminology – Factum Probandum and Factum Probans • Relevance – logical and legal • Admissibility • Voir Dire • Types of Evidence
Burden & Standard of Proof
• The Burden of Proof  Terminology (the legal burden, the evidential burden and the tactical burden)  Burden in Criminal Cases – The Golden Thread, Presumption of Innocence, Reverse Onus provisions  Burden in Civil Cases  Presumptions (irrebuttable and rebuttable presumptions of law, presumptions of fact, presumptions without basic facts) • The Standard of Proof Civil and Criminal Cases
Witness System 1 - Examination of Witnesses
• Competence and Compellability of Witnesses • Mode of Evidence - alternatives to 'in-court' testimony • Course of Evidence o Examination-in-Chief  Leading Questions  Refreshing Memory  Rule Against Narrative  Doctrine of Recent Complaint  Unfavourable and hostile witnesses o Cross Examination  Objects of cross examination  Finality of answers to collateral questions  Sexual History of Complainants o Re-Examination
Witness System 2 - Corroboration and Cautionary Directions
• Meaning of Corroboration • Corroboration required as a matter of law • Mandatory Corroboration Warnings  Confession Evidence  Accomplice evidence • Discretionary Corroboration Warnings  Evidence of Complainants in Sexual Cases  Evidence of Children • Sexual Offences - Delay 'Haugh' Warning • Lucas Warnings • Identification Evidence Visual and Voice • Requirement for and extent of Cautionary Warning • Validity of Pre-trial Identification Procedures • Status of DNA evidence
Opinion Evidence
• Non-Expert Opinion Evidence • Expert Opinion Evidence - duties of experts, rules governing the use of expert evidence
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
End of Module Formal Examination100.00%

Assessments

Full Time

No Continuous Assessment
No Project
No Practical
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 100
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description 12 Weeks per Stage 3.00 36
Estimated Learner Hours Non Contact No Description 15 Weeks per Stage 5.93 89
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 1.50 1.5
Total Weekly Contact Hours 1.50
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Heffernan. (2020), Evidence in Criminal Trials, 2nd. 15, Bloomsbury Professional, Dublin.
  • Fennell. (2020), The Law of Evidence in Ireland, 4th. 12, Bloomsbury Professional.
  • Canon & Neligan. (2003), Evidence, Roundhall.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Charleton,McDermott, Herlihy, Byrne. (2020), Criminal Law, 2nd. 27, Bloomsbury Professional, Ireland, p.1200, [ISBN: 9781845922313].
  • Matthew Holmes. (2019), Evidence, 1st. Round Hall ELT Series, Ireland, [ISBN: 9780414066359].
  • McGrath. (2015), Evidence, 2nd. Ed.. Roundhall.
  • Heffernan. (2011), Legal Professional Privilege, Bloomsbury, Dublin.
  • Heffernan. (2005), Evidence: Cases & Materials, Roundhall.
  • Healy. (2004), Irish Laws of Evidence, Roundhall.
  • O’Malley. (2010), The Criminal Process, Roundhall.
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Lexis Nexis. LNB, Lexis Nexis (LNB) Legal Database (available through the IT Carlow Library portal) – provides access to various UK & Irish Cases (All England Law Reports, The Irish Reports etc) and UK Law Journals together with International Legal Information..
  • Westlaw. WestlawIE, Westlaw.ie (available through IT Carlow Library portal) – provides access to various Irish case law reports such as ILRM and ILTR dating back to 1867 and journals including the Irish Criminal Law Journal and Irish Law Times.
  • Justis. Justis, JustisOne - (available through IT Carlow Library portal) - provides extensive access to The Irish Reports and Irish Digests.
Other Resources
  • Office of Attorney General. http://www.irishstatutebook.ie and www.oireachtas.ie, for all relevant Irish legislation.
  • Law Reform Commission of Ireland. Lawreform.ie, for Revised Acts of Oireachtas and all the latest reports and consultation papers,
    http://www.lawreform.ie
  • Courts Service of Ireland. Courts.ie, for unreported cases of the Superior Courts 2002-present,
    http://www.courts.ie
  • BAILII. BAILII.org, for free access to law updates and leading Irish cases,
    http://www.baillii.org/ie/legis
Discussion Note: