Noticeboard
| Published date | 01 October 2019 |
| Author | Michael Plaxton |
| DOI | 10.1177/1365712719874633 |
| Date | 01 October 2019 |
| Subject Matter | Noticeboard |
Noticeboard
Michael Plaxton
University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Law reform and source material
Video-recorded evidence – Expert evidence – United Kingdom
JUSTICE, Working Party Report: Prosecuting Sexual Offenses (10 June 2019), https://justice.org.uk/
new-justice-working-party-report-prosecuting-sexual-offences/
This Report makes several recommendations concerning, among other things, ways of improving
witness evidence in trials of sexual offences. In particular, it recommends that video recorded interviews
“should be carried out by properly skilled forensic interviewers”; and that, in some cases, video recorded
interviews should be conducted in two stages (an initial exploratory interview, followed by a more
focused interview designed to elicit information that will stand as evidence-in-chief). Furthermore, a
range of recommendations are made for the improvement of forensic services.
Committal for trial – Witnesses – Victoria, Australia
Victorian Law Reform Commission, Committals: Issues Paper (June 2019), https://www.lawreform.vic.
gov.au/sites/default/files/VLRC_Committals_Issues_Paper-Web.pdf
This Issues Paper considers a number of matters pertaining to the existing system by which criminal
defendants are committed to trial. In particular, it explores whether that system should be reformed or
abolished in light of the need to minimize trauma to victims and witnesses; minimize the need for
witnesses to give evidence on multiple occasions; provide better support for victims; ensure the fair trial
rights of defendants; and enhance the efficiency of the criminal justice system.
Presumption of innocence – Right to silence – Privilege against self-incrimination –
Hong Kong
Law Reform Commission of H ong Kong, Consultation Paper: Causing or Allowing the Death or
Serious Harm of a Child or Vulnerable Adult (May 2019), https://www.hkreform.gov.hk/en/publica
tions/cadcva.htm
The purpose of this consultation is to review the law pertaining to the criminal liability of parents or
caregivers of children and vulnerable adults when the child or vulnerable adult dies or is seriously
injured as a result of an unlawful act while within their care. The consultation is, in part, concerned with
the evidentiary issues that arise in such cases – specifically, the difficulty in proving that injury or death
Corresponding author:
Michael Plaxton, College of Law, University of Saskatchewan, 15 Campus Dr, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N5A6, Canada.
E-mail: michael.plaxton@usask.ca
The International Journalof
Evidence & Proof
2019, Vol. 23(4) 442–443
ªThe Author(s) 2019
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DOI: 10.1177/1365712719874633
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