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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> Northern Ireland Orders in Council >> The Criminal Justice (Evidence) (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (N.I. 10) URL: http://www.bailii.org/nie/legis/num_orders/2004/20041501.html |
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Made | 10th June 2004 | ||
Laid before Parliament | 22nd June 2004 | ||
Coming into operation in accordance with Article 1(2) and (3) |
1. | Title and commencements |
2. | Interpretation |
3. | "Bad character" |
4. | Abolition of common law rules |
5. | Non-defendant's bad character |
6. | Defendant's bad character |
7. | "Important explanatory evidence" |
8. | "Matter in issue between the defendant and the prosecution" |
9. | "Matter in issue between the defendant and a co-defendant" |
10. | "Evidence to correct a false impression" |
11. | "Attack on another person's character" |
12. | Stopping the case where evidence contaminated |
13. | Offences committed by a defendant when a child |
14. | Assumption of truth in assessment of relevance or probative value |
15. | Court's duty to give reasons for rulings |
16. | Rules of court |
17. | Interpretation of Part II |
18. | Admissibility of hearsay evidence |
19. | Statements and matters stated |
20. | Cases where a witness is unavailable |
21. | Business and other documents |
22. | Preservation of certain common law rules in relation to hearsay |
23. | Inconsistent statements |
24. | Other previous statements of witnesses |
25. | Additional requirement for admissibility of multiple hearsay |
26. | Documents produced as exhibits |
27. | Capability to make statement |
28. | Credibility |
29. | Stopping the case where evidence is unconvincing |
30. | Court's general discretion to exclude evidence |
31. | Expert evidence: preparatory work |
32. | Confessions |
33. | Representations other than by a person |
34. | Evidence at retrial |
35. | Rules of court |
36. | Proof of statements in documents |
37. | Interpretation of Part III |
38. | Repeals |
39. | Evidence by video recording |
40. | Video evidence: further provisions |
41. | Use of documents to refresh memory |
42. | Interpretation of Part IV |
43. | Saving |
44. | Supplementary and consequential provision |
45. | Orders |
46. | Consequential amendments and repeals |
Schedule 1 | Consequential amendments |
Schedule 2 | Repeals |
(3) The remaining provisions of this Order shall come into operation on such day or days as the Secretary of State may by order appoint.
Interpretation
2.
- (1) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (c. 33) applies to this Order as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.
(2) In this Order, "statutory provision" has the meaning assigned to it by section 1(f) of that Act.
Abolition of common law rules
4.
- (1) The common law rules governing the admissibility of evidence of bad character in criminal proceedings are abolished.
(2) Paragraph (1) is subject to Article 22(1) in so far as it preserves the rule under which in criminal proceedings a person's reputation is admissible for the purposes of proving his bad character.
(c) all parties to the proceedings agree to the evidence being admissible.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a) evidence is important explanatory evidence if -
(3) In assessing the probative value of evidence for the purposes of paragraph (1)(b) the court must have regard to the following factors (and to any others it considers relevant) -
the nature and extent of the similarities and the dissimilarities between each of the alleged instances of misconduct;
(d) where -
the extent to which the evidence shows or tends to show that the same person was responsible each time.
(4) Except where paragraph (1)(c) applies, evidence of the bad character of a person other than the defendant must not be given without leave of the court.
(2) Articles 7 to 11 contain provisions supplementing paragraph (1).
(3) The court must not admit evidence under paragraph (1)(d) or (g) if, on an application by the defendant to exclude it, it appears to the court that the admission of the evidence would have such an adverse effect on the fairness of the proceedings that the court ought not to admit it.
(4) On an application to exclude evidence under paragraph (3) the court must have regard, in particular, to the length of time between the matters to which that evidence relates and the matters which form the subject of the offence charged.
"Important explanatory evidence"
7.
For the purposes of Article 6(1)(c) evidence is important explanatory evidence if -
"Matter in issue between the defendant and the prosecution"
8.
- (1) For the purposes of Article 6(1)(d) the matters in issue between the defendant and the prosecution include -
(2) Where paragraph (1)(a) applies, a defendant's propensity to commit offences of the kind with which he is charged may (without prejudice to any other way of doing so) be established by evidence that he has been convicted of -
(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply in the case of a particular defendant if the court is satisfied, by reason of the length of time since the conviction or for any other reason, that it would be unjust for it to apply in his case.
(4) For the purposes of paragraph (2) -
(5) A category prescribed by an order under paragraph (4)(b) must consist of offences of the same type.
(6) Only prosecution evidence is admissible under Article 6(1)(d).
"Matter in issue between the defendant and a co-defendant"
9.
- (1) Evidence which is relevant to the question whether the defendant has a propensity to be untruthful is admissible on that basis under Article 6(1)(e) only if the nature or conduct of his defence is such as to undermine the co-defendant's defence.
(2) Only evidence -
is admissible under Article 6(1)(e).
"Evidence to correct a false impression"
10.
- (1) For the purposes of Article 6(1)(f) -
(2) A defendant is treated as being responsible for the making of an assertion if -
and evidence of the assertion is given in the proceedings,
(c) the assertion is made by a witness called by the defendant,
(d) the assertion is made by any witness in cross-examination in response to a question asked by the defendant that is intended to elicit it, or is likely to do so, or
(e) the assertion was made by any person out of court, and the defendant adduces evidence of it in the proceedings.
(3) A defendant who would otherwise be treated as responsible for the making of an assertion shall not be so treated if, or to the extent that, he withdraws it or disassociates himself from it.
(4) Where it appears to the court that a defendant, by means of his conduct (other than the giving of evidence) in the proceedings, is seeking to give the court or jury an impression about himself that is false or misleading, the court may if it appears just to do so treat the defendant as being responsible for the making of an assertion which is apt to give that impression.
(5) In paragraph (4) "conduct" includes appearance or dress.
(6) Evidence is admissible under Article 6(1)(f) only if it goes no further than is necessary to correct the false impression.
(7) Only prosecution evidence is admissible under Article 6(1)(f).
"Attack on another person's character"
11.
- (1) For the purposes of Article 6(1)(g) a defendant makes an attack on another person's character if -
(2) In paragraph (1) "evidence attacking the other person's character" means evidence to the effect that the other person -
and "imputation about the other person" means an assertion to that effect.
(3) Only prosecution evidence is admissible under Article 6(1)(g).
Stopping the case where evidence contaminated
12.
- (1) If on a defendant's trial before a judge and jury for an offence -
the court must either direct the jury to acquit the defendant of the offence or, if it considers that there ought to be a retrial, discharge the jury.
(2) Where -
the defendant may not be found guilty of that other offence if the court is satisfied as mentioned in paragraph (1)(b) in respect of it.
(3) If -
the court must either direct the jury to acquit the defendant of the offence or, if it considers that there ought to be a rehearing, discharge the jury.
(4) This Article does not prejudice any other power a court may have to direct a jury to acquit a person of an offence or to discharge a jury.
(5) For the purposes of this Article a person's evidence is contaminated where -
the evidence is false or misleading in any respect, or is different from what it would otherwise have been.
Offences committed by a defendant when a child
13.
- (1) In proceedings for an offence committed or alleged to have been committed by the defendant when aged 21 or over, evidence of his conviction for an offence when under the age of 14 is not admissible unless -
(2) Paragraph (1) applies in addition to Article 6.
(2) In this Article "relevant ruling" means -
Rules of court
16.
- (1) Rules of court may make such provision as appears to the appropriate authority to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of this Order; and the appropriate authority is the authority entitled to make the rules.
(2) The rules may, and, where the party in question is the prosecution, must, contain provision requiring a party who -
to serve on the defendant such notice, and such particulars of or relating to the evidence, as may be prescribed.
(3) The rules may provide that the court or the defendant may, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, dispense with a requirement imposed by virtue of paragraph (2).
(4) In considering the exercise of its powers with respect to costs, the court may take into account any failure by a party to comply with a requirement imposed by virtue of paragraph (2) and not dispensed with by virtue of paragraph (3).
(5) Nothing in this Article prejudices the generality of any statutory provision conferring power to make rules of court; and no particular provision of this Article prejudices any general provision of it.
(6) In this Article -
Interpretation of Part II
17.
- (1) In this Part -
(2) Where a defendant is charged with two or more offences in the same criminal proceedings, this Part (except Article 6(3)) has effect as if each offence were charged in separate proceedings; and references to the offence with which the defendant is charged are to be read accordingly.
(3) Nothing in this Part affects the exclusion of evidence -
(2) In deciding whether a statement not made in oral evidence should be admitted under paragraph (1)(d), the court must have regard to the following factors (and to any others it considers relevant) -
(3) Nothing in this Part affects the exclusion of evidence of a statement on grounds other than the fact that it is a statement not made in oral evidence in the proceedings.
Statements and matters stated
19.
- (1) In this Part references to a statement or to a matter stated are to be read as follows.
(2) A statement is any representation of fact or opinion made by a person by whatever means; and it includes a representation made in a sketch, photofit or other pictorial form.
(3) A matter stated is one to which this Part applies if (and only if) the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the person making the statement appears to the court to have been -
Cases where a witness is unavailable
20.
- (1) In criminal proceedings a statement not made in oral evidence in the proceedings is admissible as evidence of any matter stated if -
(2) The conditions are -
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(e) "fear" is to be widely construed and (for example) includes fear of the death or injury of another person or of financial loss.
(4) Leave may be given under paragraph (2)(e) only if the court considers that the statement ought to be admitted in the interests of justice, having regard -
(5) A condition set out in any sub-paragraph of paragraph (2) which is in fact satisfied is to be treated as not satisfied if it is shown that the circumstances described in that sub-paragraph are caused -
in order to prevent the relevant person giving oral evidence in the proceedings (whether at all or in connection with the subject matter of the statement).
Business and other documents
21.
- (1) In criminal proceedings a statement contained in a document is admissible as evidence of any matter stated if -
(2) The requirements of this paragraph are satisfied if -
(3) The persons mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (2) may be the same person.
(4) The additional requirements of paragraph (5) must be satisfied if the statement -
(5) The requirements of this paragraph are satisfied if -
(6) A statement is not admissible under this Article if the court makes a direction to that effect under paragraph (7).
(7) The court may make a direction under this paragraph if satisfied that the statement's reliability as evidence for the purpose for which it is tendered is doubtful in view of -
Preservation of certain common law rules in relation to hearsay
22.
- (1) The following rules of law are preserved.
Public information, etc.
1 Any rule of law under which in criminal proceedings -
Reputation as to character
2 Any rule of law under which in criminal proceedings evidence of a person's reputation is admissible for the purpose of proving his good or bad character.
Note
The rule is preserved only so far as it allows the court to treat such evidence as proving the matter concerned.
Reputation or family tradition
3 Any rule of law under which in criminal proceedings evidence of reputation or family tradition is admissible for the purpose of proving or disproving -
Note
The rule is preserved only so far as it allows the court to treat such evidence as proving or disproving the matter concerned.
Res gestae
4 Any rule of law under which in criminal proceedings a statement is admissible as evidence of any matter stated if -
Confessions, etc.
5 Any rule of law relating to the admissibility of confessions or mixed statements in criminal proceedings.
Admissions by agents, etc.
6 Any rule of law under which in criminal proceedings -
Common enterprise
7 Any rule of law under which in criminal proceedings a statement made by a party to a common enterprise is admissible against another party to the enterprise as evidence of any matter stated.
Expert evidence
8 Any rule of law under which in criminal proceedings an expert witness may draw on the body of expertise relevant to his field.
(2) With the exception of the rules preserved by this Article, the common law rules governing the admissibility of hearsay evidence in criminal proceedings are abolished.
Inconsistent statements
23.
- (1) If in criminal proceedings a person gives oral evidence and -
the statement is admissible as evidence of any matter stated of which oral evidence by him would be admissible.
(2) If in criminal proceedings evidence of an inconsistent statement by any person is given under Article 28(2)(c), the statement is admissible as evidence of any matter stated in it of which oral evidence by that person would be admissible.
Other previous statements of witnesses
24.
- (1) This Article applies where a person ("the witness") is called to give evidence in criminal proceedings.
(2) If a previous statement by the witness is admitted as evidence to rebut a suggestion that his oral evidence has been fabricated, that statement is admissible as evidence of any matter stated of which oral evidence by the witness would be admissible.
(3) A statement made by the witness in a document -
is admissible as evidence of any matter stated of which oral evidence by him would be admissible.
(4) A previous statement by the witness is admissible as evidence of any matter stated of which oral evidence by him would be admissible, if -
(5) The first condition is that the statement identifies or describes a person, object or place.
(6) The second condition is that the statement was made by the witness when the matters stated were fresh in his memory but he does not remember them, and cannot reasonably be expected to remember them, well enough to give oral evidence of them in the proceedings.
(7) The third condition is that -
(8) For the purposes of paragraph (7) the fact that the complaint was elicited (for example, by a leading question) is irrelevant unless a threat or a promise was involved.
(2) In this Article "hearsay statement" means a statement, not made in oral evidence, that is relied on as evidence of a matter stated in it.
Documents produced as exhibits
26.
- (1) This Article applies if on a trial before a judge and jury for an offence -
(2) The exhibit must not accompany the jury when they retire to consider their verdict unless -
Capability to make statement
27.
- (1) Nothing in Article 20, 23 or 24 makes a statement admissible as evidence if it was made by a person who did not have the required capability at the time when he made the statement.
(2) Nothing in Article 21 makes a statement admissible as evidence if any person who, in order for the requirements of Article 21(2) to be satisfied, must at any time have supplied or received the information concerned or created or received the document or part concerned -
(3) For the purposes of this Article a person has the required capability if he is capable of -
(4) Where by reason of this Article there is an issue as to whether a person had the required capability when he made a statement -
Credibility
28.
- (1) This Article applies if in criminal proceedings -
(2) In such a case -
(3) If as a result of evidence admitted under this Article an allegation is made against the maker of a statement, the court may permit a party to lead additional evidence of such description as the court may specify for the purposes of denying or answering the allegation.
(4) In the case of a statement in a document which is admitted as evidence under Article 21 each person who, in order for the statement to be admissible, must have supplied or received the information concerned or created or received the document or part concerned is to be treated as the maker of the statement for the purposes of paragraphs (1) to (3) above.
Stopping the case where evidence is unconvincing
29.
- (1) If on a defendant's trial before a judge and jury for an offence the court is satisfied at any time after the close of the case for the prosecution that -
the court must either direct the jury to acquit the defendant of the offence or, if it considers that there ought to be a retrial, discharge the jury.
(2) Where -
the defendant may not be found guilty of that other offence if the court is satisfied as mentioned in paragraph (1) in respect of it.
(3) If -
the court must either direct the jury to acquit the defendant of the offence or, if it considers that there ought to be a rehearing, discharge the jury.
(4) This Article does not prejudice any other power a court may have to direct a jury to acquit a person of an offence or to discharge a jury.
Court's general discretion to exclude evidence
30.
- (1) In criminal proceedings the court may refuse to admit a statement as evidence of a matter stated if -
(2) Nothing in this Part prejudices -
Expert evidence: preparatory work
31.
- (1) This Article applies if -
(2) In evidence given in the proceedings the expert may base an opinion or inference on the statement.
(3) If evidence based on the statement is given under paragraph (2) the statement is to be treated as evidence of what it states.
(4) This Article does not apply if the court, on an application by a party to the proceedings, orders that it is not in the interests of justice that it should apply.
(5) The matters to be considered by the court in deciding whether to make an order under paragraph (4) include -
(6) Paragraphs (1) to (5) apply to a statement prepared for the purposes of a criminal investigation as they apply to a statement prepared for the purposes of criminal proceedings, and in such a case references to the proceedings are to criminal proceedings arising from the investigation.
(7) The appropriate rules are rules made -
Confessions
32.
- (1) In the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (NI 12) the following Article shall be inserted after Article 74 -
the court shall not allow the confession to be given in evidence for the co-accused except in so far as it is proved to the court on the balance of probabilities that the confession (notwithstanding that it may be true) was not so obtained.
(3) Before allowing a confession made by an accused person to be given in evidence for a co-accused in any criminal proceedings, the court may of its own motion require the fact that the confession was not obtained as mentioned in paragraph (2) above to be proved in the proceedings on the balance of probabilities.
(4) The fact that a confession is wholly or partly excluded in pursuance of this Article shall not affect the admissibility in evidence -
(5) Evidence that a fact to which this paragraph applies was discovered as a result of a statement made by an accused person shall not be admissible unless evidence of how it was discovered is given by him or on his behalf.
(6) Paragraph (5) above applies -
(7) In this Article "oppression" includes torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, and the use or threat of violence (whether or not amounting to torture).".
(2) Subject to paragraph (1), nothing in this Part makes a confession by a defendant admissible if it would not be admissible under Article 74 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989.
(3) In paragraph (2) "confession" has the meaning given by Article 70 of that Order.
Representations other than by a person
33.
- (1) Where a representation of any fact -
the representation is not admissible in criminal proceedings as evidence of the fact unless it is proved that the information was accurate.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not affect the operation of the presumption that a mechanical device has been properly set or calibrated.
Evidence at retrial
34.
For paragraphs 2 and 2A of Schedule 1 to the Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) Act 1980 (c. 47) (depositions) there is substituted -
(2) On a retrial ordered under section 6 of this Act, Article 42(1) of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (reading of depositions) shall not apply to the depositions of any person who gave evidence at the original trial.".
(5) If a party proposing to tender evidence fails to comply with a prescribed requirement applicable to it -
(6) In considering whether or how to exercise any of its powers under paragraph (5) the court shall have regard to whether there is any justification for the failure to comply with the requirement.
(7) A person shall not be convicted of an offence solely on an inference drawn under paragraph (5)(b).
(8) Nothing in this Article prejudices the generality of any statutory provision conferring power to make rules of court; and no particular provision of this Article prejudices any general provision of it.
(9) In this Article -
Proof of statements in documents
36.
Where a statement in a document is admissible as evidence in criminal proceedings, the statement may be proved by producing either -
authenticated in whatever way the court may approve.
Interpretation of Part III
37.
- (1) In this Part -
(2) Article 19 (statements and matters stated) contains other general interpretative provisions.
(3) Where a defendant is charged with two or more offences in the same criminal proceedings, this Part has effect as if each offence were charged in separate proceedings.
Repeals
38.
In the Criminal Justice (Evidence, Etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 (NI 17) the following provisions (which relate to documentary evidence and are to some extent superseded by provisions of this Part) are repealed -
(b) the person claims to have witnessed (whether visually or in any other way) -
(c) he has previously given an account of the events in question (whether in response to questions asked or otherwise),
(d) the account was given at a time when those events were fresh in the person's memory (or would have been, assuming the truth of the claim mentioned in sub-paragraph (b)),
(e) a video recording was made of the account,
(f) the court has made a direction that the recording should be admitted as evidence in chief of the witness, and the direction has not been rescinded, and
(g) the recording is played in the proceedings in accordance with the direction.
(2) If, or to the extent that, the witness in his oral evidence in the proceedings asserts the truth of the statements made by him in the recorded account, they shall be treated as if made by him in that evidence.
(3) A direction under paragraph (1)(f) -
(4) Those matters are -
(5) For the purposes of paragraph (2) it does not matter if the statements in the recorded account were not made on oath.
(6) In this Article -
Video evidence: further provisions
40.
- (1) Where a video recording is admitted under Article 39, the witness may not give evidence in chief otherwise than by means of the recording as to any matter which, in the opinion of the court, has been dealt with adequately in the recorded account.
(2) The reference in paragraph (1)(f) of Article 39 to the admission of a recording includes a reference to the admission of part of the recording; and references in that Article and this one to the video recording or to the witness's recorded account shall, where appropriate, be read accordingly.
(3) In considering whether any part of a recording should not be admitted under Article 39, the court must consider -
(4) A court may not make a direction under Article 39(1)(f) in relation to any proceedings unless -
(5) Nothing in Article 39 affects the admissibility of any video recording which would be admissible apart from that Article.
(2) Where -
he may, at any stage in the course of giving his evidence, refresh his memory of the matter from that transcript.
which he considers necessary or expedient for the purposes of, in consequence of, or for giving full effect to any provision of this Order.
(2) An order under paragraph (1) may, in particular -
(3) Nothing in this Article limits the power by virtue of Article 45(1)(b) to include transitional or saving provision in an order under Article 1.
(4) The amendments that may be made under paragraph (2)(b) are in addition to those made by or under any other provision of this Order.
Orders
45.
- (1) Any power of the Secretary of State to make an order under this Order includes power to make -
which the Secretary of State considers necessary or expedient.
(2) An order including provision made under Article 8(4)(b), 39(6) or 44(1) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament in like manner as a statutory instrument and section 5 of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 (c. 36) shall apply accordingly.
Consequential amendments and repeals
46.
- (1) The consequential amendments specified in Schedule 1 shall have effect.
(2) The statutory provisions specified in Schedule 2 are repealed to the extent specified.
A. K. Galloway
Clerk of the Privy Council
2.
In section 1 (defendant as witness) -
3.
- (1) Article 72 (conviction as evidence of commission of offence) is amended as follows.
(2) In paragraph (1) (commission of offence by non-defendant) for the words from ", where to do so" to "committed that offence" there is substituted "that that person committed that offence, where evidence of his having done so is admissible".
(3) In paragraph (3) (commission of offence by defendant) the words from "in so far" to "he is charged," are omitted.
Short Title | Extent of repeal |
The Criminal Procedure Act 1865 (c. 18) | In section 6, the words "and upon being so questioned, if". |
The Criminal Evidence Act (Northern Ireland) 1923 (c. 9) | Section 1(3) |
The Criminal Evidence Act 1979 (c. 16) | The whole Act. |
The Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (NI 26) | In Part I of Schedule 6, paragraph 60. |
The Criminal Justice (Evidence, Etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 (NI 17) |
Part II. Schedule 1. In Schedule 2, paragraph 2. |
The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (NI 12) | In Article 72(3), the words from "in so far" to "he is charged, ". |
The Finance Act 1994 (c. 9) |
Section 22(2)(f). In Schedule 7, paragraph 1(6)(f). |
The Value Added Tax Act 1994 (c. 23) | In Schedule 11, paragraph 6(6)(d). |
The Children's Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (NI 3) | In Schedule 2, paragraph 10. |
The Finance Act 1996 (c. 8) | In Schedule 5, paragraph 2(6)(e). |
The Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 24) | Article 44. |
The Civil Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 (NI 21) | In Schedule 1, paragraph 5. |
The Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (NI 8) |
In Schedule 1, paragraph 1(5). In paragraph 1(7) of Schedule 1 the words ", (f)" and ", (3)". |
The Finance Act 2000 (c. 17) | In Schedule 6, paragraph 126(2)(d). |
The Finance Act 2001 (c. 9) | In Schedule 7, paragraph 3(2)(d). |
The Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (c. 32) | In section 9(4), the words "or Article 5 of the Criminal Justice (Evidence, Etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 (SI 1988/ 1847 (NI 17))". |
Crown copyright 2004
Prepared 30 June 2004