General Evidence Flashcards

1
Q

The High Court has cautioned trial judges against using their discretionary powers under Part 3.11 of the Act to re-instate the common law rules of evidence.

A

Papakosmos [1999] HCA

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2
Q

Which section states that the EA 2008 applies to “proceedings in a Victorian Court”.

A

s 4 Evidence Act 2008

This Act applies to all proceedings in a Victorian court…

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3
Q

Which section of the Evidence Act 2008 (Vic) provides the general rule that all witnesses are competent and compellable?

A

s 12 Evidence Act 2008

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4
Q

Which section of the Victorian Evidence Act provides for cross examination of an “unfavourable witnesses”?

A

s 38 Evidence Act 2008

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5
Q

What is the test and section for relevance under the UEA?

A

See s 55 Evidence Act 2008.

‘Could rationally affect (directly or indirectly) the assessment of the probability of the existence of a fact in issue…’

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6
Q

What is the test and section for the hearsay rule under the uniform evidence acts?

A

s 59 Evidence Act 2008

‘Evidence of a previous representation made by a person is not admissible to prove the existence of a fact that it can reasonably be supposed that the person intended to assert by the representation.

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7
Q

If evidence is admissible for a non hearsay purpose, it is admissable for a hearsay purpose.

A

s 60 Evidence Act 2008

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8
Q

What is the section and pre-requisites for the “maker not available” exception to the hearsay rule in civil proceedings?

A

The hearsay rule does not apply in civil proceedings if the maker is not available (s 63) AND: - it is first hand hearsay (s 62); and - Section 67 notice is provided.

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9
Q

What is the section and “pre requisites” for the “maker available and will be called” exception to the hearsay rule?

A

Hearsay rule does not apply if the maker of the representation is to be called (s 64(3)) AND - it is first hand hearsay (s 62).

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10
Q

Which section means that the credibility rule does not apply if it could substantially affect the credibility of a witness in cross examination?

A

Section 103(1) Evidence Act 2008 (Vic)

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11
Q

If you are dealing with an unfavourable witness, what are the four steps required to deal with them?

A
  1. Examination in chief; 2. If they can’t remember, seek leave to refresh memory with statement: s 32 UEA 3. If they are still obstructive, cross examine under s 38 UEA. 4. If they are still obstructive and recant from earlier statement, tender a copy of statement (s 48, 103(1)). This then becomes weak, unsworn evidence of its truth (s 60).
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12
Q

Which section of the UEA provides that a witness that fails to comply with a subpoena can be arrested?

A

Section 194 Evidence Act 2008 (Vic)

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13
Q

Which section provides for the “opinion rule”?

A

Section 76 UEA

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14
Q

Which section allows a person to give an opinion based of their specialised training, study or experience?

A

Section 79 UEA

“You are not entitled to your opinion. You are entitled to your informed opinion. No one is entitled to be ignorant.”
― Harlan Ellison (1934 - )

Prolific American writer of short stories, novellas, teleplays, essays, and criticism

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15
Q

Which section allows a lay opinion to be given when it is necessary for the witnesses’ evidence to be understood?

A

Section 78 UEA

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16
Q

Which section provides that an admission is inadmissable if it is influenced by violent, oppressive, inhuman or degrading conduct (VOID) conduct?

A

Section 84 UEA

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17
Q

Evidence may be so ambigious as to be irrelevant.

A

Lithgow City Council v Jackson [2011] HCA

Ambulance office - ? Fell 1.5 meters - unable to logically impact probability either way.

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18
Q

Evidence is to be weighed according to the proof that was within the power of one side to produce and power of the other to contradict.

A

Blatch v Archer (1774) per Lord Mansfield.

Sheriff - whether arrest of debtor lawful - son not called to give evidence of supervision.

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19
Q

Which jurisdictions have not adopted the Uniform Evidence Act?

A

Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland.

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20
Q

Which section of the UEA allows for the exclusion of improperly or illegally obtained evidence?

A

s 138 Evidence Act 2008 (Vic)

…not to be admitted unless the desirability of admitting the evidence outweighs…

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21
Q

Improperly obtained evidence is excluded on the basis of public policy - judicial approval cannot be given to illicit investigative procedures.

A

Bunning v Cross [1978] HCA

Driver clearly drunk - “preliminary test’ not administered - conviction upheld.

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22
Q

At common law, a civil admission could be constituted by conduct.

A

Thatcher v Charles [1961] HCA

Dangerous riding - struck child - silence when mother confronted.

23
Q

Proof is not required about knowledge that is not reasonably open to question and is common knowledge.

A

s 144 Evidence Act 2008 (Vic)

25
When assessing probative value, the judge must assume the jury **will accept** the evidence.
*IMM v The Queen* [2016] HCA (4:3) Sexual r'ship _w_ minor - complainant evidence - *'massage'.*
26
Which section allows judges to give warnings about **unreliable evidence**?
**s 165** *Evidence Act 2008 (Vic)* ## Footnote *This section applies to evidence in a civil proceeding that is evidence of a kind that may be unreliable...*
27
**Conduct** can be an admission.
[?]
28
29
Why can't a witness give evidence or make an admission about a question of law?
***s 12** Evidence Act 2008* - competence - facts only.
30
What is one of the problems in seeking to invoke the "***opinion rule***" for lay evidence?
Statements of fact and opinion **form a continuum**.
31
Evidence is only relevant if it could **logically effect** the liklihood of a fact in issue.
*Smith v The Queen* [2001] HCA police officers - CCTV of a bank robbery - no better placed than jury.
32
Care which must be taken in determining whether a witness, who may be an expert in some areas, possesses specialized knowledge with regard to the relevant issue.
*Dasreef Pty Ltd v Hawchar* [2011] HCA chartered chemist - professional engineer - concentration of silica dust.
33
Which section **excludes credibility evidence** in relation to a witness at trial?
**s 102** *Evidence Act 2008*
34
Which section contains a **general discretion** to **limit** the use of evidence?
**s 136** *Evidence Act 2008 (Vic)*
35
36
Which section states that **tendancy** evidence is inadmissable unless it has **significant probative value**?
**s 97** *Evidence Act 2008 (Vic)*
37
An unexplained failure to call evidence reasonably expected to be called suggests the evidence would not assist.
*Jones v Dunkel* [1959] HCA Truck fatality - circumstantial case - defendant did not give evidence.
38
A witness must be given an opportunity to explain attacks to their evidence.
*Browne v Dunn* [1893] UKHL Allegation of "*sham*" document - signatories not asked - *"Essentially a rule of fairness."*
39
Who said *“Cross examination is the greatest legal engine ever invented for the discovery of truth.”*
**Prof. John Henry Wigmore** (1863 - 1943) Dean of Northwestern University Law School - *Wigmore on Evidence* - one of greatest law books ever written.
40
41
All **relevant evidence** is admissable unless excluded by the Act.
**s 56** Evidence Act 2008 ## Footnote *"Pivotal provision" - creates code for admissability.*
42
Is the without prejudice privilege **extinguished** on resolution of the dispute?
**Yes**: Common law. **No**: Uniform Evidence Act.
43
44
The hearsay rule does not apply to **interlocutory proceedings** if source is disclosed.
**s 75** *Evidence Act 2008* ## Footnote *In an interlocutory proceeding, the hearsay rule does not apply ... if ... adduces evidence of its source.*
45
The hearsay rule does not apply the identity of the sender, date and recipient of an electronic communication.
**s 71** *Evidence Act 2008*
46
There is a **presumption of validity** about the date, sender, recipient and content of electronic communications.
**s 161** *Evidence Act 2008* ## Footnote *with the pervasiveness of this form of communication, a requirement that each be proved in a laborious way cannot continue to be warranted’...*
47
A confession obtained in circumstances that make its use **unfair** must be excluded.
**s 90** *Evidence Act 2008*
48
Evidence obtained in **breach of contract** may be evidence obtained improperly for the purposes of **s 138** *Evidence Act 2008*
*Taylor v Burgess* [2002] NSWSC Paternity case - mother - contract not to give evidence regarding partnerity.
49
Which state has enacted a **professional confidential relationship privilege**, subject to an overarching discretion to admit?
**New South Wales.** *Doctor/patient, therepist/client; accountant/client etc.*
50
Which chapter of the *Evidence Act 2008* deals with the admissibility of evidence, essentially as a **code**?
**Chapter 3 (s 55 - s 139).** "*Intended to be an exhaustive statement of the law*" - ALRC.
51
Contrary to the common law, a **view** is to be treated as evidence.
**s 54** *Evidence Act 2008* ## Footnote *...may draw any reasonable inference ...*
52
What is the rule of rule of **collateral finality** in cross examination? Now see **s 106** *Evidence Act 2008 (Vic)*
Answers on **collateral issues** (such as **_credit_)** are **final**. ## Footnote *"Without it, trials could be overwhelmed by peripheral issues remote from the main cause of action".*
53
What is the advantage of allowing arbitrators to **receive hearsay** evidence?
Avoids needless technicalities.