Uniform Evidence Law Guidebook

1. Getting into EvidenceIntroductionSources—the uniform Evidence ActsKinds of evidenceRelevance, admissibility and weightDrawing inferences2. Proof and PresumptionsIntroductionBurden of proofStandard of proofCircumstantial evidenceBurden of proof in civil casesStandard of proof in civil casesPresumptionsCommon knowledge and judicial notice3. Roles of Judge and Jury and the Judicial Discretion to Exclude EvidenceIntroductionOrder of court proceedingsFunctions of judge and JuryPreliminary questions—the voir dire and admissibility of evidenceJudicial role and powersJudicial obligation and the discretions to limit or exclude evidenceDiscretion to admit improperly or illegally obtained evidence4. Witnesses and Adducing EvidenceIntroductionCompetence and compellability of witnessesConduct of a trial in the adversarial processWarning and information about unreliable evidence5. Documentary and Real EvidenceIntroductionProof of the contents of a document including secondary evidenceAuthenticity of a documentReal evidenceViews, demonstrations, experiments and inspections6. Privileges and ImmunitiesIntroductionThe nature and operation of privilegeClient legal privilegeLoss or waiver of client legal privilegePrivilege against self-incriminationPublic interest immunity—‘matters of state’Privilege in aid of settlementProfessional confidential relationshipsJournalists’ privilegeSexual assault counselling communications privilege7. Hearsay and ExceptionsIntroductionThe hearsay rule and its rationaleExceptions to the hearsay ruleOriginal use of a previous representationFirst-hand hearsayStatements about health, feelings, state of mind‘More remote’ exceptions—business recordsOther exceptions8. AdmissionsIntroduction 161Nature and effect of admissionsImplied admissions—silenceImplied admissions—flight and liesException to hearsay ruleVoluntariness and reliability of admissionsStatutory recording requirements for admissions in criminal casesDiscretionary exclusion—unfairnessDiscretionary exclusion—public policy9. Opinions, Judgments and ConvictionsIntroductionFact and opinion distinctionThe opinion ruleException 1—multiple relevanceException 2—lay opinionException 3—Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditional laws and customsException 4—expert opinionUltimate issue and common knowledgeCriminal convictionsCivil judgments10. Disposition Evidence I: Credibility and CharacterIntroductionCredibility evidenceThe credibility ruleExceptions to the credibility ruleCredibility of the defendant in criminal casesCharacter evidenceCharacter of the defendant in criminal cases11. Disposition Evidence II: Tendency and CoincidenceIntroductionCommon law origins of the exclusionary ruleGeneral features of the legislative schemeThe tendency ruleThe coincidence ruleFurther admissibility restriction in criminal casesCases not involving tendency or coincidence reasoningRelationship or context evidence12. Identification EvidenceIntroductionMeaning of identification evidenceExclusion of visual identification evidenceExclusion of picture identification evidenceJudicial warningOther kinds of ‘identification’ evidenceTable of CasesTable of Statutes