Reference no: EM133872925
Assignment:
1. What is the general rule of English law regarding competence and compellability of witnesses?
2. To be competent to give evidence in criminal proceedings a person must be able to do which two things?
3. Can a 12-year-old give sworn evidence?
4. Is the accused ever competent to give evidence for the prosecution?
5. The jury send a note to the judge in a case in which the accused did not give evidence. They disbelieve all the prosecution witnesses but want to draw an adverse inference from the accused's silence at trial and convict him on the basis. How should they be directed?
6. Can an accused's spouse be compelled to give evidence for the prosecution in a trial:
(a) for shoplifting?
(b) for the sexual assault of a 15-year-old neighbour?
(c) for affray, in the course of which the spouse was injured?
7. When will a person with 'learning difficulties' be competent to give sworn evidence?
8. A man wins an action for libel but is believed to have lied on oath. What may be the consequences?