Program Overview

Course Overview

The course LAWS 380 focuses on the principles of evidence and the practical requirements of proof of factual matters in criminal cases.

Course Details

• Dates: 23 February 2026 to 21 June 2026
• Starts: Trimester 1
• Fees:
  • NZ$1,020.00 for domestic students
  • NZ$5,165.40 for international students
• Lecture Start Times:
  • Wednesday 8:30am
  • Friday 1:40pm
• Campus: Pipitea
• Estimated Workload: Approximately 150 hours or 8.8 hours per week for 17 weeks
• Points: 15
• Availability: Limited entry

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: 60 LAWS 200-level points
• Corequisites: 60 further LAWS 200-level points, LAWS 301
• Restrictions: None

Course Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Identify factual issues, develop a theory of the case, and analyse evidence in accordance with a case file
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of the law of evidence
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the rules governing the inadmissibility of certain types of evidence
4. Think critically about the rules of evidence

Teaching Method

The teaching method will generally be a combination of lecture and discussion, initially based around two case files (criminal, and contract and tort) developed to introduce students to the principles and rules of evidence.

Assessment

• Assignment (1,000 words): 28-hour take-home test, released 4pm, 25 March; Due 8pm, 26 March (40% of the final mark)
• Final Online Exam (120 mins): During the exam period to be determined by the university (60% of the final mark)

Mandatory Requirements

To pass this course, students must:

1. Achieve an overall pass mark of at least 50%
2. Complete all pieces of assessment by the due date and time, including required hand-in of any drafts

Required and Recommended Texts

• Required Text: Adams on Criminal Law - Evidence
• Recommended Texts:
  • Principles of Evidence in Criminal Cases by Elisabeth McDonald (2012, Thomson Reuters, Wellington)
  • Mahoney on Evidence: Act and Analysis by Elisabeth McDonald and Scott Optican (2018, Thomson Reuters)

Faculty and Staff

The course is taught by the School of Law, Faculty of Law, with Mark Lillico as the lecturer.