Contested cases are only as strong as the evidence on which they are based. A thorough working knowledge of the law of evidence is essential for any barrister, whether in the preparation of a case or in the conduct of litigation in court. This Manual examines not only the principles of evidence, but also their application in practice. By its combination of text, materials, realistic examples, questions and problems, it seeks to develop in students of the subject not merely knowledge and comprehension of the rules, but alsoexpertise in the way in which they are used in practice. Evidence is a complex and ever-changing subject. This Manual covers all recent major developments including the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 and the impact that is now beginning to be made by the European Convention on Human Rights. Several of the authors have published extensively on the subject. All have taught the evidencecomponent of the Bar Vocational Course at the ICSL.