Keele Badge

LAW-30062 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

LAW-30062 - Evidence
Coordinator: Sotirios Santatzoglou Tel: +44 1782 7 34216
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733218

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

LAW-10039 (Legal Essentials)

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

The law of evidence is the study of rules designed to ensure that the guilty are convicted and the innocent are acquitted. It is a system of balances and checks that is the ultimate protection of individual liberty. In this module you can decide for yourself just how important the law of evidence is in the criminal justice system. This module is an intellectually stimulating study of a complex legal topic but is also of particular interest to those intending to enter legal practice.

Aims
By building on knowledge acquired in foundational modules of Law or Criminology, this module will allow students to develop further their knowledge of the operation of legal rules as they are applied in the context of criminal trials in England and Wales. The law of evidence offers students the opportunity to explore a range of practical situations in which trial courts manage statutory legal rules and exceptions, codes of practice and case-law. Students will gain a fuller appreciation of the appropriate exercise of judicial case management skills, and judicial discretion, in the efficient management of trials within the context of human rights, especially the fair trial provisions of the ECHR.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/law-30062/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the rules of criminal evidence which regulate the admission of evidence at criminal trials in England and Wales: 1
Confidently apply the rules of criminal evidence to a factual scenario when considering the admissibility of certain types of evidence: 1
Critically analyse the rules of criminal evidence across a range of contextual themes and policy considerations: 1

Study hours

12 x 2 hour seminars and workshops = 24 hours
Preparation for seminars, workshops, and formative assessment = 50 hours.
Directed reading and assessment prep. = 76
Total = 150 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 100%
Assignment
Assignment 3,000 word limit: answering a complex problem question to discuss the actions of defence and/or of prosecution and/or of trial regarding issues arsing from the scenario facts. The discussion will include some theoretical commentary where appropriate.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 16 September 2026