Undergraduate Module Descriptor

LAW3072H: Aspects of Evidence

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

This module is only available to students studying for the JD on the HKUST-Exeter Programmes in Law. The module is directed towards critical analysis of the exclusionary rules of evidence, of particular relevance to criminal trials. It aims (a) to provide you with an understanding of the adversarial trial structure and its impact on the content of the law of evidence, particularly in the context of the criminal trial; (b) to familiarise you with the content of some of the key exclusionary rules; (c) encourage you to identify and debate current issues within the law of evidence with confidence; and (d) to apply the legal rules and principles within a critical framework.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. demonstrate detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the law of evidence and a substantial range of major concepts, values and principles relevant to its application 2. demonstrate ability to identify, explain and critically evaluate key issues in the law of evidence and to apply relevant rules and theories
Discipline-Specific Skills	3. demonstrate detailed and comprehensive knowledge of legal concepts and their contextual, social, and political implications 4. demonstrate ability to apply legal knowledge to a problem or case study and to suggest a conclusion supported by relevant arguments
Personal and Key Skills	5. demonstrate ability to manage relevant learning resources, information, and learning strategies, and to develop own arguments and opinions with minimum guidance 6. demonstrate ability to work independently and to manage time efficiently in preparing for scheduled learning activities, exercises and assessment

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

Nature & objectives of the criminal justice system
The HRA 1998 and criminal justice
Stop & search powers
Powers of arrest
Detention and Interrogation
The right to silence at the police station
Unlawfully obtained evidence
Confessions and confession evidence
Obtaining Identification Evidence
Prosecution Decisions/Alternatives to prosecution
Bail: Police and Court
Legal Aid

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
28.5	121.5	0

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity	4.5	3 x 1.5 hour tutorials
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity	24	12 x 2 hour lectures
Guided Independent study	81.5	Reading and preparing for tutorials
Guided Independent study	40	Researching and writing essays

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay Plan	750 words	1-6	Comments and individual feedback

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay	100	3000 words	1-6	Written feedback and discussion on individual request
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Essay	Essay (3,000 words)	1-6	August/September reassessment period

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

This reading list is indicative, providing an idea of textbooks that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not a confirmed or compulsory reading list:

The latest editions of:

Dennis, The Law of Evidence (Sweet & Maxwell)

Choo, Evidence (Oxford)

Roberts and Zuckerman, Criminal Evidence (Oxford)