General Information
Evidence is a compulsory subject in the Juris Doctor program offered by the Faculty of Law. Students enrolled in the subject will learn about the main principles of the law of evidence in Queensland, covering both civil and criminal cases, with appropriate comparisons with equivalent laws under the Uniform Evidence Laws. Upon completion of the subject, students will be able to apply these principles in novel factual situations, and engage in scholarly discussions regarding their application and extent.
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Details
Academic unit: Faculty of Law Subject code: LAWS75-318 Subject title: Evidence Subject level: Postgraduate Semester/Year: May 2018 Credit points: 10.000 -
Delivery & attendance
Timetable: https://bond.edu.au/timetable Delivery mode: Standard Workload items: - Lecture: x12 (Total hours: 24) - Weekly Lecture
- Tutorial: x12 (Total hours: 12) - Weekly Tutorial
- Personal Study Hours: x12 (Total hours: 84) - Recommended Study Hours
Attendance and learning activities: You should attend all classes. Most classes build on the work of the previous one, and it may be difficult for you to recover if you miss a class. Attendance in tutorials will be monitored, and missing tutorials may have an impact upon your final mark in this subject. It is strongly recommended that students attend all lectures. Though lectures may be streamed, no guarantee is given that the technology will deliver each lecture and streaming should be used ONLY as a backup in case of illness or as a tool for revision. -
Resources
Prescribed resources: Books
- David Field (2017). Queensland Evidence Law. 4th, Lexis Nexis
Others
- Evidence Act 1977 (Qld). Available at: https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/E/EvidceA77.pdf
iLearn@Bond & Email: iLearn@Bond is the online learning environment at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, lecture recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au
Academic unit: | Faculty of Law |
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Subject code: | LAWS75-318 |
Subject title: | Evidence |
Subject level: | Postgraduate |
Semester/Year: | May 2018 |
Credit points: | 10.000 |
Timetable: | https://bond.edu.au/timetable |
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Delivery mode: | Standard |
Workload items: |
|
Attendance and learning activities: | You should attend all classes. Most classes build on the work of the previous one, and it may be difficult for you to recover if you miss a class. Attendance in tutorials will be monitored, and missing tutorials may have an impact upon your final mark in this subject. It is strongly recommended that students attend all lectures. Though lectures may be streamed, no guarantee is given that the technology will deliver each lecture and streaming should be used ONLY as a backup in case of illness or as a tool for revision. |
Prescribed resources: | Books
Others
|
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iLearn@Bond & Email: | iLearn@Bond is the online learning environment at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, lecture recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications. Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student. To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au |
Enrolment requirements
Requisites: |
Pre-requisites:Co-requisites:There are no co-requisites |
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Assumed knowledge: |
Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge. Admission into a Masters law degree OR approved Study Abroad or Exchange law student |
Restrictions: |
Nil |
Assurance of learning
Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.
At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.
Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:
- Identify the leading principles and rules of evidence law.
- Problem solve by applying the principles and rules of evidence.
- Critically examine the principles and rules of evidence in theory and in practice.
- Identify the ethical demands on counsel who are involved in the presentation of evidence in the trial process.
- Develop and present legal argument on evidentiary issues.
Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment
The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.
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Assessment details
Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed Paper-based Examination (Limited Open) Final examination 60.00% Final Examination Period 1,2,3,4,5 *Class Participation Tutorial participation 20.00% Ongoing 1,2,3,4,5 *Competency Test Oral advocacy assessment 20.00% To Be Negotiated 1,2,4,5 - * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
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Assessment criteria
Assessment criteria
High Distinction 85-100 Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. Distinction 75-84 Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. Credit 65-74 Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. Pass 50-64 Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. Fail 0-49 Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Type | Task | % | Timing* | Outcomes assessed |
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Paper-based Examination (Limited Open) | Final examination | 60.00% | Final Examination Period | 1,2,3,4,5 |
*Class Participation | Tutorial participation | 20.00% | Ongoing | 1,2,3,4,5 |
*Competency Test | Oral advocacy assessment | 20.00% | To Be Negotiated | 1,2,4,5 |
- * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
- C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.
Assessment criteria
High Distinction | 85-100 | Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking. |
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Distinction | 75-84 | Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas. |
Credit | 65-74 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above. |
Pass | 50-64 | Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment. |
Fail | 0-49 | Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines. |
Quality assurance
For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.
Study Information
Submission procedures
Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.
Policy on late submission and extensions
A late penalty will be applied to all overdue assessment tasks unless an extension is granted by the subject coordinator. The standard penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment per day late with no assessment to be accepted seven days after the due date. Where a student is granted an extension, the penalty of 10% per day late starts from the new due date.
Academic Integrity
University’s Academic Integrity Policy defines plagiarism as the act of misrepresenting as one’s own original work: another’s ideas, interpretations, words, or creative works; and/or one’s own previous ideas, interpretations, words, or creative work without acknowledging that it was used previously (i.e., self-plagiarism). The University considers the act of plagiarising to be a breach of the Student Conduct Code and, therefore, subject to the Discipline Regulations which provide for a range of penalties including the reduction of marks or grades, fines and suspension from the University.
Bond University utilises Originality Reporting software to inform academic integrity.Feedback on assessment
Feedback on assessment will be provided to students within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, as per the Assessment Policy.
Accessibility and Inclusion Support
If you have a disability, illness, injury or health condition that impacts your capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks, it is important you let us know your special requirements, early in the semester. Students will need to make an application for support and submit it with recent, comprehensive documentation at an appointment with a Disability Officer. Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Office at the earliest possible time, to meet staff and learn about the services available to meet your specific needs. Please note that late notification or failure to disclose your disability can be to your disadvantage as the University cannot guarantee support under such circumstances.
Additional subject information
NOTE: This is a compulsory law subject that is required for both LLB and JD students. More details will be posted on iLearn prior to the start of the semester.
Subject curriculum
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Introduction - SOME BASIC CONCEPTS
What exactly is 'Evidence'? The Governing Principles of Evidence. Admissibility. The functions of judge and jury. Burdens of Proof.
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PROOF WITHOUT NEW EVIDENCE
Presumptions. Judicial Notice. Formal Admissions. Estoppel. Convictions as evidence in later civil proceedings.
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TYPES AND CLASSIFICATIONS OF EVIDENCE
The forms which 'Evidence' may take. Oral, documentary and real evidence. Direct and circumstantial evidence. Primary and secondary evidence.
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COMPETENCE AND COMPELLABILITY
The concepts defined. Challenges to competency. Exceptions to compellability. Alibi Evidence. Accused as witness for and against co-accused.Spouse of an accused as witness. Obligation of Crown to call all witnesses.
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PRIVILEGE
Privilege against self-incrimination. Legal professional privilege.
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ORAL EVIDENCE
The course of a trial. Examination in chief. Cross-examination. Re-examination.
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PROBITY, PREJUDICE AND SIMILAR FACT EVIDENCE
Probity v prejudice. Character, Credit, Credibility and Propensity.
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CHARACTER EVIDENCE RELATING TO ACCUSED PERSONS AND SEXUAL OFFENCE COMP
The accused as a witness. Evidence of complainants in certain sexual cases. Hearsay - the general rule at common law.
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EXCEPTIONS TO THE HEARSAY RULE - 1
The exceptions to the Hearsay Rule in outline. Res Gestae. Declarations by deceased persons. Declarations as to health, fitness and mental state. Statements made in previous proceedings. Informal admissions. Evidence Act, 1977, Part 6. Section 93A statements. Section 93B statements.
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EXCEPTIONS TO THE HEARSAY RULE - 2
Documentary evidence - an introduction. Documentary Hearsay in civil cases. Documentary Hearsay in criminal cases. Statements produced by computer.
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OPINION, IDENTIFICATION AND CORROBORATION
Opinion evidence. Identification evidence. Corroboration.
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ILLEGALLY OBTAINED EVIDENCE
Introduction. The Christie Discretion. The Ireland Discretion.