Course Details in 2025/26 Session

Module Title	LH Criminal Evidence
School	Birmingham Law School
Department	Law
Module Code	08 25551
Module Lead	Samantha Fairclough
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-30 hours Seminar-6 hours Guided independent study-164 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module explores the rules and principles that regulate the trial stage of the criminal process. The module examines the way the legal rules are constructed as well as a number of specific evidential rules will be examined, which may include: vulnerable witnesses, character evidence, hearsay evidence, double jeopardy, confessions and improperly obtained evidence. The module aims to develop key transferable skills as well as more traditional academic ones. In line with this, students will be partially assessed via a 10 mins recorded presentation.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: analyse and evaluate different models of proof. examine the extent to which rules of evidence are consistent with the principles of criminal evidence. evaluate the different principles of criminal evidence and whether they are consistent with one another. analyse and evaluate research on criminal evidence law and theory. consider the extent to which political agendas are evident in the rules of criminal evidence. identify and use primary and secondary source materials relevant to this field which deal with issues addressed in the module. make personal and reasoned critical judgments about the issues covered during the module. participate appropriately in academic debate on matters covered in the module, presenting both written and oral arguments in a clear, concise and well reasoned fashion. engage in group work tasks, interacting with others, making evidenced submissions as well as responding appropriately to the arguments of others.
Assessment	25551-01 : Take Home Exam : Exam (School Arranged) - Open Book (70%) 25551-02 : Presentation : Presentation (30%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessments: Take home exam (open-book) - 3hrs (70%) 10min recorded presentation (30%) Reassessment: Resit failed component(s)
Other
Reading List