Contents

Uniform Evidence Manual

Introduction to the Evidence Act 2008

Chapter 1 - Preliminary

Part 1.1 – Formal Matters (ss 1 – 3)

Part 1.2 – Application of the Evidence Act 2008 (ss 4 – 11)

Chapter 2 – Adducing Evidence

Part 2.1 – Witnesses (ss 12 – 46)

Part 2.2 – Documents (ss 47 – 51)

Part 2.3 – Other Evidence (ss 52 – 54)

Chapter 3 – Admissibility of Evidence

Part 3.1 – Relevance (ss 55 – 58)

Part 3.2 – Hearsay (ss 59 – 75)

Part 3.3 – Opinion (ss 76 – 80)

Part 3.4 – Admissions (ss 81 – 90)

Part 3.5 – Evidence of judgments and convictions (ss 91 – 93)

Part 3.6 – Tendency and coincidence (s 94 – s 101)

Part 3.7 – Credibility (ss 101A – 108C)

Part 3.8 – Character (ss 109 – 112)

Part 3.9 – Identification evidence (ss 113 – 116)

Part 3.10 – Privileges (Divisions 1 - 4, ss 117 – 134)

Part 3.11: Discretionary and Mandatory Exclusions (ss 135 – 139)

Chapter 4 - Proof

Part 4.1 – Standard of Proof (ss 140 – 142)

Part 4.2 – Judicial Notice (ss 143 – 145)

Part 4.3 – Facilitation of Proof (Division 1-3, ss 146 – 163)

Part 4.4 – Corroboration (s 164)

Part 4.5: Warnings & Information (ss 165 – 165B)

Part 4.6: Ancillary Provisions (Divisions 1 - 4, ss 166 – 181)

Chapter 5 - Miscellaneous

Schedule 1 – Oaths and Affirmations

Schedule 2 – Transitional Provisions

Appendix A: Child Witnesses: Testing Competency and Questioning – A Practical Guide

Part I – Legislative Context

Part II – Overarching Principles For Questioning Children

A. Introduction

B. General

(1) Things to do

(2) Things to avoid

(3) Establishing the ‘rules of court’

(4) Children and the rule in Browne v Dunn

(5) When questioning about understanding of the obligation to tell the truth

C. Developmentally Focussed Considerations

D. Cross-Examination

E. Potentially Embarrassing/Difficult Questions

F. Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome

G. Older Children

Part III. Further Context and Sample Scripts