The law of evidence underlies the whole practice of law, including, most obviously, civil and criminal litigation, but also the various stages of the fact-finding process prior to litigation, including investigative processes and even alternative modes of dispute resolution. It is therefore imperative for law students, legal scholars and practitioners to have a clear grasp of what constitutes relevant evidence, a thorough understanding of the rules of admissibility, as well as the weight and tactical significance of evidence at the various junctures of civil, criminal or other legal proceedings. The term ‘evidence’ generally refers to that information by which disputed facts tend to be proved, and the Law of Evidence is that body of law and discretion regulating the means by which disputed facts may be proved in courts, tribunals and arbitration hearings in which the strict rules of evidence apply. The Law of Evidence therefore forms part of the adjectival law and operates in tandem with the law of criminal procedure and the law of civil procedure. Upon completion of this course, students will have a thorough theoretical knowledge of as well as the ability to apply the Law of Evidence as developed in Hong Kong to novel case scenarios.

Grading of Student Achievement: Standard (A+, A, A-...F). To pass this course students must obtain an aggregate mark of 40% and a minimum of 30% in the examination component of the assessment. Artificial Intelligence The use of Generative AI tools is not allowed in completing assessment tasks for this course.