Discussion Paper on Similar Fact Evidence and the Moorov Doctrine

Discussion Paper on Similar Fact Evidence and the Moorov Doctrine PDF Author: Scottish Law Commission
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Admissible evidence
Languages : en
Pages : 149

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Book Description
This report considers the admissibility of evidence of bad character or of previous convictions, and of similar fact evidence; and the Moorov doctrine. Bad character evidence is defined by its simple English language meaning. Similar fact evidence is taken to mean "evidence that the accused has, before or after the facts alleged in the instant charge, acted in a similar way to that charged." It would accordingly include evidence of the accused person's previous convictions. The Moorov doctrine represents what might at first sight appear to be an exception to the Scottish law requirement of corroboration by permitting the credible but uncorroborated evidence of a single witness to an offence to corroborate, and to be corroborated by, the credible but uncorroborated evidence of a single witness to another offence. Such mutual corroboration is only permitted where the crimes are sufficiently connected in time, character and circumstance, and what constitutes a sufficient connection has been the matter of extensive discussion in the courts. This report also considers the related doctrine first identified by the High Court in Howden v M Advocate. This doctrine recognises that where a jury is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that two offences, libelled together in the same indictment, must have been committed by the same person, they may rely upon the corroborated evidence of identity in relation to one charge to support conviction in relation to the other (in respect of which there would otherwise be insufficient evidence of identity).

Discussion Paper on Similar Fact Evidence and the Moorov Doctrine

Discussion Paper on Similar Fact Evidence and the Moorov Doctrine PDF Author: Scottish Law Commission
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Admissible evidence
Languages : en
Pages : 149

Get Book Here

Book Description
This report considers the admissibility of evidence of bad character or of previous convictions, and of similar fact evidence; and the Moorov doctrine. Bad character evidence is defined by its simple English language meaning. Similar fact evidence is taken to mean "evidence that the accused has, before or after the facts alleged in the instant charge, acted in a similar way to that charged." It would accordingly include evidence of the accused person's previous convictions. The Moorov doctrine represents what might at first sight appear to be an exception to the Scottish law requirement of corroboration by permitting the credible but uncorroborated evidence of a single witness to an offence to corroborate, and to be corroborated by, the credible but uncorroborated evidence of a single witness to another offence. Such mutual corroboration is only permitted where the crimes are sufficiently connected in time, character and circumstance, and what constitutes a sufficient connection has been the matter of extensive discussion in the courts. This report also considers the related doctrine first identified by the High Court in Howden v M Advocate. This doctrine recognises that where a jury is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that two offences, libelled together in the same indictment, must have been committed by the same person, they may rely upon the corroborated evidence of identity in relation to one charge to support conviction in relation to the other (in respect of which there would otherwise be insufficient evidence of identity).

Report on Similar Fact Evidence and the Moorov Doctrine

Report on Similar Fact Evidence and the Moorov Doctrine PDF Author: Scottish Law Commission
Publisher: Stationery Office/Tso
ISBN: 9780108882654
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 162

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Book Description
As the law stands, the prosecution in Scotland cannot rely upon previous convictions to help prove their case against an accused person. If an accused, charged with murder, has been convicted of a number of other murders, the jury will not know this when considering their verdict. Other jurisdictions - most notably England and Wales - have rules which allow such evidence. Should Scots law be changed? In this report the Scottish Law Commission conclude that the present rules restricting the use of evidence that the accused has acted in a similar way on other occasions - including evidence that he or she has committed similar crimes - lack both logic and coherence. It recommends that the law recognise that such evidence can be highly relevant to the question of guilt or innocence. The report argues that all relevant evidence - including evidence of similar previous convictions - should, in principle, be admissible. Included with the report is a draft Bill which would give effect to the recommendations by replacing the present law with a clear and coherent statutory framework for the admission of all relevant evidence in criminal proceedings.

Scottish Criminal Evidence Law

Scottish Criminal Evidence Law PDF Author: Peter Duff
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
ISBN: 1474414796
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
Why did Enlightenment happen in Edinburgh?

Scottish Evidence Law Essentials

Scottish Evidence Law Essentials PDF Author: James Chalmers
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
ISBN: 147440779X
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 152

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Book Description
Discover how the law of evidence operates within Scotland, and in the larger context of UK and European laws of evidence.The new edition has been updated to take account of case law developments since the last edition, plus the Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Act 2014, the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 and changes made to the law on vulnerable witnesses by the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014. Helpful student features include Essential Facts and Essential Cases for each chapter.

A Divided Church

A Divided Church PDF Author: John W Keddie
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 132679213X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 106

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Book Description
A Divided Church is an account of the division that took place in the Free Church of Scotland, a conservative evangelical and reformed church, in the year 2000. The story is told of events that led to the division and the perceived inadequacies of procedures in church and state which impacted upon events leading up to the division. The book is written from the perspective of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), the smaller part of the divided Church. It is a story that requires to be told and it is written with care and conciseness by the lecturer in Church History and Church Principles at the Seminary of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing).

Fifty Years of the Law Commissions

Fifty Years of the Law Commissions PDF Author: Matthew Dyson
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1849468591
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 478

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Book Description
This book brings together past and present law commissioners, judges, practitioners, academics and law reformers to analyse the past, present and future of the Law Commissions in the United Kingdom and beyond. Its internationally recognised authors bring a wealth of experience and insight into how and why law reform does and should take place, covering statutory and non-statutory reform from national and international perspectives. The chapters of the book developed from papers given at a conference to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Law Commissions Act 1965.

The Work of the British Law Commissions

The Work of the British Law Commissions PDF Author: Shona Wilson Stark
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1509906924
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 325

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Book Description
The Law Commission (of England and Wales) and the Scottish Law Commission were both established in 1965 to promote the reform of the laws of their respective jurisdictions. Since then, they have each produced hundreds of reports across many areas of law. They are independent of government yet rely on governmental funding and governmental approval of their proposed projects. They also rely on both government and Parliament (and, occasionally, the courts or other bodies) to implement their proposals. This book examines the tension between independence and implementation and recommends how a balance can best be struck. It proposes how the Commissions should choose their projects given that their duties outweigh their resources, and how we should assess the success, or otherwise, of their output. Countries around the world have created law reform bodies in the Commissions' image. They may wish to reflect on the GB Commissions' responses to the changes and challenges they have faced to reappraise their own law reform machinery. Equally, the GB Commissions may seek inspiration from other commissions' experiences. The world the GB Commissions inhabit now is very different from when they were established. They have evolved to remain relevant in the face of devolution, the UK's changing relationship with the European Union, increasing pressure for accountability and decreasing funding. Further changes to secure the future of independent law reform are advanced in this book.

Evidence Essentials

Evidence Essentials PDF Author: James Chalmers
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
ISBN: 0748698175
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 161

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Book Description
From confessions and character evidence to judicial admissions and conducting a trial, Evidence Essentials will guide you through the law of evidence in Scotland - the ideal text for new students and for that all-important exam revision. Now in its third edition, you can be sure that the book is totally up-to-date. Summary sections of Essential Facts and Essential Cases will help you to identify, understand and remember the key elements.

Discussion Paper on Rape and Other Sexual Offences

Discussion Paper on Rape and Other Sexual Offences PDF Author: Scottish Law Commission
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 152

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Book Description
This discussion paper sets out the Commission's proposals for reform of the law relating to rape and other sexual offences, for consultation purposes (responses by 1 May 2006). Topics discussed include: the protection of sexual autonomy and the issue of consent; sexual assaults; offences based on a protective principle, including offences involving children under 16 years, persons with mental disorders, and abuse of trust; offences based on public morality; the law of evidence concerning proof of sexual offences; and compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Charleton and McDermott's Criminal Law and Evidence

Charleton and McDermott's Criminal Law and Evidence PDF Author: Peter Charleton
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 152651818X
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 1401

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Book Description
This second edition of what was in 1999 an acclaimed work, has been completely rewritten. In approaching this, the authors have considerably increased the analysis of the theoretical aspects of criminal law and strengthened citations of academic literature and comparative case law while keeping the narrative concise and focused for easy use by practitioners. Key benefits to readers include a complete overview of criminal law theory; a new series of chapters on the law of evidence as it applies in the fraught circumstances of a criminal trial; a much more analytical approach to the general part and to criminal defences; and the comprehensive coverage of all the major, and many minor, areas of indictable crime. Since the last edition, commentary and case law on sexual offences has proliferated as have legislative interventions; a completely new scheme for dealing with property offences was necessitated by a series of recent statutes; company law and competition offences have assumed a greater significance; and the range of offences covered has had to be increased in order to ensure a comprehensive coverage of this most sensitive and politically charged aspect of law.