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Introducing Evidence at Trial: A British Columbia Handbook – Fifth Edition

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How to handle evidence like seasoned counsel

This publication is essential for: all civil and criminal lawyers who take cases to trial

Evidentiary issues can arise at any time in your civil or criminal law case and you often need quick access to recent law and guidance on how to introduce or object to particular evidence. Introducing Evidence at Trial: A British Columbia Handbook (5th ed.) is your trial companion, offering you access to clear statements of the rules of evidence, practice pointers and strategies for leading different types of evidence, and checklists and scripts to help you in the courtroom.

With this resource, you will be able to:

  • understand the evidentiary proof you need in your case and spot weaknesses in the other party’s case
  • better understand the rules of evidence and use them effectively in your case
  • more effectively argue for the admission or exclusion of evidence
  • confidently lead and object to evidence in a trial

Buy your copy and increase your courtroom capabilities today!

Introducing Evidence at Trial - Fifth Edition

Read a sample from the book

Features and Highlights

Features:

  • an overview chapter of basic evidentiary principles
  • concise statements of legal principles
  • practice tips for counsel, sample scripts, and checklists
  • further reading in many chapters for other helpful resources
  • Canada Evidence Act and British Columbia Evidence Act for ready access to key sections
  • useful finding tools, including extensive cross-referencing, tables of cases, statutes, and references, and an index
  • online access to electronic version with hyperlinks to primary law

Highlights of the 5th edition:

  • all content current to September 1, 2024
  • a new chapter on Identification Evidence
  • analysis and discussion of significant case law including including R. v. Kruk (common sense assumptions), R. v. Schneider (hearsay), R. v. Haevischer (summary dismissal), R. v. Tayo Tompouba (language of accused), R. v. Tessier (voluntariness), R. v. Beaver (voluntariness), R. v. Tim (exclusion of evidence), R. v. Zacharias (exclusion of evidence), R. v. Samaniego (trial management), Earthco Soil Mixtures Inc. v. Pine Valley Enterprises Inc. (subsequent conduct), R. v. Brunelle (state misconduct), and CBC v. Named Person (journalistic privilege), among many others
  • revised practice points throughout the chapters

Contributors

Editorial Board

Mary T. Ainslie, KC — Crown Counsel—BC Prosecution Service, Vancouver
Robert S. Anderson, KC — Farris LLP, Vancouver
Nikos Harris, KC — Peter A. Allard School of Law, UBC/Peck and Company, Vancouver
The Honourable Justice Karen A. Horsman — BC Court of Appeal, Vancouver
The Honourable Judge Cassandra Malfair — BC Provincial Court, Prince George
Marilyn E. Sandford, KC — Ritchie Sandford McGowan Barristers, Vancouver
The Honourable Justice Peter M. Willcock — BC Court of Appeal, Vancouver 

Authors

The Honourable Justice Wendy A. Baker — BC Supreme Court, Vancouver
Ryan Bernard — Dentons LLP, Vancouver
Sarah A. Bevan — Legal Services Branch—Ministry of Attorney General, Victoria
The Honourable Justice Michael J. Brundrett — BC Supreme Court, Vancouver
Ryan Carrier — Crown Counsel—Public Prosecution Service of Canada, Vancouver
Sarah Chaster — Crown Counsel—BC Prosecution Service, Surrey
Lauren Chu — Crown Counsel—BC Prosecution Service, Vancouver
Jasmine Der — Dentons LLP, Vancouver
The Honourable Justice Joseph Doyle — BC Supreme Court, Vancouver
Janet A.M. Dickie — Crown Counsel—BC Prosecution Service, Surrey
Brian Duong — Hunter Litigation Chambers, Vancouver
Devin Eeg — Hunter Litigation Chambers, Vancouver
Bryan E. Fitzpatrick — Pushor Mitchell LLP, Kelowna
Meghan K. Forhan — Pender Litigation, Vancouver
Richard S. Fowler, KC — Fowler and Blok Criminal Defence Lawyers, Vancouver
Michael Gianacopoulos — Farris LLP, Vancouver
Brook J. Greenberg, KC — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver
John D. Hempstead — Deputy Regional Crown Counsel—BC Prosecution Service, Prince George
Annie C. Kaderly — Aaron Gordon Daykin Nordlinger LLP, Vancouver
The Honourable Justice Miriam A. Maisonville — BC Supreme Court, Vancouver
Paul T. McGivern, KC — Pacific Medical Law, Vancouver
Caroline E. Richardson — Crown Counsel—BC Prosecution Service, Vancouver
Matthew G. Scott — Crown Counsel—BC Prosecution Service, Vancouver
Daniel J. Song, KC — Pringle Law Criminal Defence, Vancouver
Matthew Stacey — Crown Counsel—BC Prosecution Service, Surrey
Kayla K. Strong — Nathanson Schachter & Thompson LLP, Vancouver
Alix Tolliday — Ritchie Sandford McGowan Barristers, Vancouver
Julian van der Walle — Julian van der Walle Law Corporation, Vernon
John Walker — Crown Counsel—Public Prosecution Service of Canada, Vancouver
Mark Wolf — Crown Counsel—BC Prosecution Service, Vancouver

Table of Contents

Chapters

1. The Basic Concepts of the Law of Evidence

2. Admissions Dispensing with Proof

3. Adverse/Hostile Witnesses

4. Adverse Inferences

5. Certificate Evidence

6.  Character Evidence

7. Child Witnesses

8. Collateral Facts Rule

9. Confessions and Admissions of Accused Persons and Civil Parties

10. Documentary Evidence

11.  Exclusion of Evidence

12. Hearsay Evidence

13. Identification Evidence

14. Interpreters

15. Judicial Notice

16. Opinion Evidence

17. Post-occurrence or Post-offence Conduct Evidence

18. Prior Convictions

19. Privilege as an Evidentiary Rule

20. Real and Demonstrative Evidence

21. Reply Evidence

22. Similar Fact Evidence

23. Statements

24. Subpoenas

25. Technology Evidence

26. Views in a Trial

27. Voir Dires

28. Wiretap Evidence

Tables
Case Table
Statutes and Related Material Table
Index

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“The contributing authors are experienced and knowledgeable trial counsel, who have analyzed leading case authority and shared practical tips on introducing evidence in criminal and civil trials in BC.”

~ Robert S. Anderson, KC, Mary T. Ainslie, KC, and Marilyn E. Sandford, KC

Robert S. Anderson, KC, Mary T. Ainslie, KC, and Marilyn E. Sandford, KC