THE MALET STREET GAZETTE

EST. 1998

1858-2009

University of London International Programmes Birthday Events

Editor

Barrister Desk

Video Clips

MSG Past Articles

Book Reviews

Contact MSG

Home

Study for the London LL.B. with ICLS

Lectures & Assignments Start September 1, 2010

MURPHY ON EVIDENCE (10^th edition) 

By Peter Murphy 

A review by Phillip Taylor MBE, Malet Street Gazette Barrister Desk Editor

In the study of law, evidence is pivotal.  As Peter Murphy stresses, ‘the law of evidence underlies the whole practice of law in every field capable of leading to litigation.... Cases are probably won and lost more often for reasons of evidential acumen, or lack of it, than for reasons of any other sort.’ 

Now in a new tenth edition, ‘Murphy on Evidence’ which first appeared in 1980,  has become successfully established as a leading text for use on undergraduate law courses and  continues to fulfil its original aim of meeting ‘the long-felt need...for a book soundly based around the considerations of practice in the courts’.   The new edition has been completely updated as at 16 March 2007, and includes all important developments in almost every area of the law of evidence, including the hearsay and character evidence provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.   

This important tenth edition provides coverage of this seminal decision, together with a clear analysis of how the law has developed in this area, as well as practical observations on the application of the new rules in the courts. 

Included in the new material contained in this edition are the significant developments in, for example, legal professional privilege...public interest  immunity...confessions...the burden of proof...and evidence illegally and unfairly obtained.  Important decisions of the House of Lords and the Court of Appeal which have occurred since the publication of the last edition are also dealt with. 

In this as in previous editions, Murphy builds evidence issues around a ‘realistic though fictitious’ and certainly illustrative criminal case and civil case of the kind law students are accustomed to seeing on law papers, or while preparing for moots.   At the end of chapters there is more food for thought, and challenge in the form of evidence issues and the points of argument and discussion that would logically emanate from them. 

The success of ‘Murphy on Evidence’ as a practical guide has been acknowledged by law teachers, students of the law and law professionals.  Not only is it ideal if you are preparing for professional examinations, it is a frequently consulted by practitioners and judges throughout the common law world. 

With its wealth of practical information and detailed analysis of the law, this is a superb and eminently readable guide to a difficult subject. As such, it ranks as a formidable, as well as an indispensable work of scholarship for learners and seasoned practitioners alike. Its continuing popularity is evidence of its success as the complete and proven method for teaching, and I use it extensively in my teaching practice today for undergraduates and at the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators! 

YouTube link: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYYoM_vlWAg

     The Malet Street Gazette, Inc. is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice, and no one should rely on the information contained in the Gazette. The views and posts published on this website and the Malet Street Gazette Discussion Board are not expressions of the Gazette's management or editorial policy and do not necessarily reflect the Gazette's opinion. The Malet Street Gazette, Inc. accepts no responsiblity for the accuracy of any statement made herein, and all readers/visitors are advised to check the facts for themselves and not rely on statements made herein.  The authors and publishers accept no liability in relation thereto. The areas of law discussed are particularly fast-moving, and legal issues develop on a daily basis. The up-to-date position should always therefore be checked. The Malet Street Gazette is not connected nor officially sanctioned by the University of London.

Copyright©1998-2010 The Malet Street Gazette, Inc.