Recent Book: Evidence Elucidated: A Practical Approach to Evidence
| Author | R. M. Phillips |
| Published date | 01 July 1981 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X8105400318 |
| Date | 01 July 1981 |
| Subject Matter | Recent Book |
This is probably the most useful part of
the booklet.
A folder prepared by the Magistrates'
Association with suggested traffic
offence penalties is included as an
appendix. It iscarefully pointed out that
the proposals do not comprise atariff of
set penalties but merely provide a
starting point for discussion inan effort
to prevent unjustified anomalies arising
from sentencing in different courts.
The booklet is well written and
contains a wealth of practical experience
in this field. no more than one would
expect from the co-author of Wilkinson's
Road
Traf/i
Offences. R.S. and P.S.
EVIDENCE
ELlICIDATED
PETER
M
l'RPHY:
A Practical
Approach
to Evidence.
London: Financial Training Publications Ltd. £9.95.
Evidence is a complex and technical
subject upon which much is written -
though not always successfully. It is there-
fore refreshing to come upon a book whose
style of presentation does much to assist
the reader in obtaining adeeper
understanding of this difficult area of the
law. Like most of English Law. evidence
is comprised of a disparate collection of
rules derived from the
common
law and
also enacted by statute. The successful
approach of this book derives largely
from its practical connotation which
seeks to structure the subject
around
afictitious case. This thematic approach.
though not a novel innovation (see for
instance The Criminal Court in
Action
by David Barnard - a book on
procedure) does have the advantage of
enablingthe readerto appreciate the laws
of evidence as applied to practical
situations and to view the subject area as
a whole. As the reader progresses
through the book and considers the
important rules of evidence he is
constantly referred back to the various
facets of the fictitious case
and
how they
touch
upon
the
point
under
consideration. The issues raised are
explained
in a
thorough
and
authoratitive manner. the
author
using a
very clear and lucid style of presentation.
Although primarily intended for
students
reading
for
the
Bar
Examination. this book deserves a wider
audience. Mr. Murphy purposely does
not treat his subject in an academic way
and the resulting
approach
may be
readily appreciated by police officers
wishing to extend or consolidate their
professional knowledge in this area. A
barrister of eight years standing and a
lecturer in evidence at the Inns of
Court
School of Law. the
author
is amply
qualified to present the subject in his
chosen manner. He. however. makes the
very valid point that realism would be
sacrificed if every important rule of
evidence were incorporated into the one
fictitious case. Nevertheless. despite this
constraint. the case is presented in a
realistic manner and the issues it raises
will be readily recognized by police
officers in a practical context.
The book shows the laws of evidence
acting upon the civil and criminal law
and
usefully
demonstrates
this
relationship and its influence bothwithin
and upon 'each branch of the law. In
present times where civil litigation is
often
contemplated.
arising
from
circumstances initiated by the police. it is
essential
to
be
aware
of
such
relationships. The subject area of the
book is presented in a technically
competent manner and is a useful and
recommended addition to any police
officer's bookshelf. The small size of the
book belies the detail contained within it
and consists of 398 pages of text divided
into four cogent parts. with 16 chapters.
There are, of course. the usual tables of
references
to
cases and statutes.
R. M.
PHILLIPS
PREPARATION FOR PROMOTION
E. R.
BAKER
and F. B.
DODGE:
Baker
and
Wilkie's Police Promotion
Handbook
No. I
Criminal Law (6th Edition).
London: Butterworths. £3.90.
This is one of a series of four handbooks Criminal Law: Criminal Evidence and
which deal with the various subjects
'of
Procedure: General Police Duties and
the police
promotion
examinations: Road Traffic.
3"2 July 1981
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