Rules of evidence

Introduction

1. This section will assist you in understanding the legal rules that have to be met in order for evidence to be admissible before a criminal court. It will focus on the rules of evidence in a criminal trial. However the same evidential issues are also relevant when you are:

  • considering whether there should be a prosecution.
    There must be sufficient admissible evidence for there to be a realistic prospect of conviction before a prosecution can be undertaken;
  • preparing cases for prosecution.
    You must consider whether there may be evidential difficulties at all stages of the process, and whether additional evidence may be required.

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Updated 2021-08-27