Module manager: Mr Alex Batesmith
Email: a.batesmith@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Only one module from the list of pre-requisite modules is required.
| LAW1140 | Principles of Criminal Law |
| LAW1141 | Introduction to Criminal Law |
| LAW1260 | Criminal Law |
| LAW1264 | Criminal Law |
| LAW2065 | Criminal Law |
| LAW2066 | Criminal Law |
| LAW2067 | Criminal Law |
LAW3100
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module will introduce you to the core principles of criminal evidence and the legal frameworks within which evidentiary rules are applied in criminal trials. You will explore key evidentiary concepts, cases and legislation, including confession evidence, hearsay, character and sexual behaviour evidence, and the treatment of vulnerable witnesses and suspects. The module also examines contemporary issues such as digital and identification evidence and improperly obtained evidence. You will have the opportunity to develop practical legal skills through workshops focused on case analysis and written advocacy, and to engage with the real-world application of evidentiary rules through guest input from criminal justice professionals.
This module will provide students with the opportunity to learn about key principles, cases and legislation relating to the admissibility and evaluation of evidence in criminal trials. It will also enable students to understand the legal, procedural and practical contexts in which criminal evidence operates within the justice system.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
Critically analyse and synthesise legal concepts, values, principles, and rules of criminal evidence to assess their effectiveness across a range of substantive areas of law.
Synthesise information and legal reasoning to provide a coherent account of complex legal issues in the area of criminal evidence.
Apply legal concepts, authorities, and scholarship to solve complex actual or hypothetical problems relating to criminal evidence, with well-supported arguments.
Conduct advanced, self-directed legal research in the area of criminal evidence using a range of methods, demonstrating intellectual independence and critical engagement.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
Demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills in analysing complex legal and ethical issues, proposing solutions.
Communicate persuasively, effectively conveying complex ideas and legal concepts to a variety of audiences and using a variety of methods.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 179 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 21 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
179
A formal formative assessment opportunity will be provided for each summative assessment task, which is specifically pedagogically aligned to that task. As part of this, each student will receive feedback designed to support the development of knowledge and skills that will be later assessed in the summative task.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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