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This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.
This unit examines the theory and practical application of the law of expert evidence in Western Australia, examining provisions of the Western Australian Evidence Act 1906 and the Commonwealth Evidence Act 1995. Students will be introduced to key rules relating to relevant and admissible evidence as a means to resolve facts and issues at trial with an emphasis on expert/opinion evidence. The unit will examine how those rules relate to the preparation of expert reports and subsequent presentation of a prepared report including exhibits in a court of law. The unit has a significant practical component requiring active engagement in adversarial litigation in a practice court scenario.
Students must have completed a minimum of 240 credit points.
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
On-campus students will attend a weekly three hour seminar. On-line students will access the program via Blackboard. Regular online access is required. Preliminary Exercise and Major Exercise (mock trial scenarios): Students will prepare and present two expert evidence reports. The preliminary exercise is based on a mock crime/accident scene that will be video/film based with physical data supplied. In the second major exercise online students will be paired with an on-campus student for physical data obtained from a simulated crime/accident scene on-campus students to visually record this component of the exercise for, amongst other things, supply to external students. All students will present their evidence and review another student's presentation either in class on campus or using audio-visual technology links to the campus (e.g. Adobe Connect, Skype, Scopia,Zoom).
GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units
Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.
| Type | Description | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise | Mock Trial 1, including preparation and written feedback | 20% |
| Journal | Work Journal | 40% |
| Exercise | Mock Trial 2, including preparation and written feedback | 40% |
| Type | Description | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise | Mock Trial 1, including preparation and written feedback | 20% |
| Journal | Work Journal | 40% |
| Exercise | Mock Trail 2, including preparation and written feedback | 40% |
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.
Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.
The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.
LAW3900|1|1
This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.
This unit examines the theory and practical application of the law of expert evidence in Western Australia, examining provisions of the Western Australian Evidence Act 1906 and the Commonwealth Evidence Act 1995. Students will be introduced to key rules relating to relevant and admissible evidence as a means to resolve facts and issues at trial with an emphasis on expert/opinion evidence. The unit will examine how those rules relate to the preparation of expert reports and subsequent presentation of a prepared report including exhibits in a court of law. The unit has a significant practical component requiring active engagement in adversarial litigation in a practice court scenario.
Students must have completed a minimum of 240 credit points.
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
On-campus students will attend a weekly three hour seminar. On-line students will access the program via Blackboard. Regular online access is required.
GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units
Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.
| Type | Description | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | Class participation (including contribution to class discussion that shows evidence of preparation and pre-reading) | 10% |
| Test | Short Answer Test | 50% |
| Exercise | Presentation and Evaluation of Expert Report | 40% |
| Type | Description | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | Unit participation (including contribution to discussion board that shows evidence of preparation and pre-reading) | 10% |
| Test | Short Answer Test | 50% |
| Exercise | Presentation and Evaluation of Expert Report | 40% |
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.
Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.
The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.
LAW3900|1|2