Summary - Chapter 1 - Concept in Evidence Flashcards
(23 cards)
CONCEPT IN EVIDENCE
Overview
1) Relevancy
RELEVANCY
Logical Relevancy
DPP v Kilbourne
- Meaning: probative / disprobative
- How determined: reasoning
- What it is based on: logic & common sense
- Conclusion: relevant if it is logic
RELEVANCY
Legal relevancy
1) Meaning: S.3
2) Relevancy of an evidence: S.5
3) Explanation on S.5:
- PP v DSAI (No. 3)
- Thavanathan a/l Balasubramaniam v PP
4) Legal relevancy vs logical relevancy: PP v Haji Kassim
6) Matters not provided under EA: PP v Yuvaraj
ADMISSIBILITY
Admissibility & legal relevancy
1) The concept of relevancy & admissibility - Thavanathan a/l Balasubramaniam v PP
2) How legal relevancy & admissibility relates - PP v Haji Kassim
2) Power of judge - S.136(1)
3) Scope of power of judge - PP V DSAI (No.3)
FACTS IN ISSUE
Civil & Criminal Case
1) Civil case - How Paik Thoo v Mohideen
2) Criminal case - R v Sims
ROLE OF THE JUDGE
Overview
1) Putting questions & ordering documents
2) Deciding on admissibility
3) Discretion to exclude evidence
ROLE OF THE JUDGE
Putting Questions & Ordering Documents
1) The law: S.256 CPC
2) Exercise of power - DSAI. PP
3) Meaning of descending into the arena of dispute - Yuill v Yuill
4) When can judge ask question - Gan Kok Liong v PP
5) Effect of descending into the arena of dispute - Teng Boon How v PP
ROLE OF THE JUDGE
Deciding on admissibility
1) The law: S.136
2) Scope: PP v DSAI (No. 3)
3) Subsequent exclusion / reversal after admitting:
- PP v Ng Lai Huat - hearsay
- R v Watsons - confessions
- DSAI v PP & anor appeal (FC, 2015) - DNA specimen
ROLE OF THE JUDGE
Discretion to exclude evidence
1) General rule - Kuruma v R
2) Exceptions:
- Evidence operates unfairly: Goi Ching Ang v PP
- Involuntariness that is extraordinary: Francis Antonysamy v PP
- Evidence taken in breach of statutory provision: Aizuddin Syah v PP (CA, 2019)
LEGAL & EVIDENTIAL BURDEN
Overview
1) Distinction between both
2) Discharging evidential burden
LEGAL & EVIDENTIAL BURDEN
Distinction between both
1) International Times & Ors v Leong Hu Yen
2) Letchumanan Chettiar Alagappan v Secure Plantations Sdn Bhd
LEGAL & EVIDENTIAL BURDEN
Discharging evidential burden
Jayasena v R
WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE
Overview
1) Meaning & scope
2) Rule in assessing weight
3) How to determine weight
4) Factors to be taken into account
5) Examples of relevant provisions
WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE
Meaning
- Probative or evidential value
WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE
Scope
- Issue of weight only arise for admissible evidence;
- Does not arise for irrelevant or excluded evidence.
WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE
Rule in assessing weight
- No hard & fast rule;
- Based on facts & circumstances of each case.
- Regards is to the rules of evidence & common sense.
WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE
How to determine weight
- Qualitative assessment
WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE
Factors to be taken into account
1) Nature - direct or circumstantial
2) Credibility - e.g. interested witness, manner evidence is obtained
3) Consistency - e.g. corroborated with other evidence
WEIGHT OF EVIDENCE
Relevant provisions
1) S.73A(6) - weight for documentary evidence under S.73A
2) S.90B - weight for documents produced by computer under S.90A
3) S.158 - weight to be attached to evidence under S.32 & S.33
DIRECT & CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE
Direct evidence
- attested directly;
- saw, heard or observed
DIRECT & CIRMCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE
Circumstantial evidence-
- reasonable inference;
- belief that the fact is proven;
Cases:
1) Meaning - Sunny Ang v PP, Idris v PP
2) Conviction - PP v Azilah Hadri & Anor
DIRECT & CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE
Issue 1 - whether there is a distinction between direct & circumstantial evidence
PP v Azilah Hadri & Anor
DIRECT & CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE
Issue 2 - whether standard of proof of circumstantial evidence is higher than direct evidence
1) Kartar Singh v R
2) Jayarahman & Ors v PP
3) Juraimi bin Hussin v PP
