Ontario Litigator’s Pocket Guide to Evidence, 5^th Edition provides instant solutions to common and unfamiliar evidentiary problems that can arise in civil, criminal, family or administrative proceedings. Difficult concepts are simplified for easy understanding and instant use in court. The author takes the common law and the provincial and federal evidence acts to their essentials. This book deals with all areas of the law of evidence and is complete with the latest guidance from the Supreme Court of Canada. 

 

Written by James C. Morton, Past-President of the Ontario Bar Association, and a well-known litigator and lecturer, this book includes full coverage of the Ontario Evidence Act and is fully indexed to the specific sections of the Act, enabling the reader to easily locate a topic not only in the text, but in the Act itself. 

 

Seeking the admissibility of testimony or a document, challenging the credentials of a proposed “expert” witness, or encountering other thorny evidentiary issues in the heat of the action should not require a lengthy adjournment. You simply need a portable and authoritative reference to resolve problems as they arise. 

 

Answering the Key Questions

 

Ontario Litigator’s Pocket Guide to Evidence, 5^th Edition specifically addresses a wide range of issues, including:

 

·         What is the difference between relevance and materiality?

·         When must opposing witnesses be cross-examined?

·         How has the case by case (Wigmore) exception to the hearsay rule been applied by the courts?

·         How broad is the right to silence?

·         What is the current rule for admitting wiretap evidence?

·         What are the limits on solicitor-client privilege?

·         To what extent can you impeach your own witness?

·         When can a prior inconsistent statement be introduced?

 

Essential Features for Legal Professionals

 

You’ll be amazed at how much vital information can be found in such a small package. Stripping the common law and the provincial and federal evidence acts to their essentials, this book manages to be:

 

·         Easy to use – highlights the basic principles and leading cases on particular points

·         Practical – offers a recommended pattern of questions and answers for use in direct and cross-examination, and a step by step approach for resolving admissibility issues

·         Wide ranging – 21 chapters canvass all the major problem areas in evidence, drawing on leading Canadian and Commonwealth decisions

·         Portable – its convenient size is ideal for reference in court or in meetings

·         Up to date – reflects the latest Supreme Court of Canada decisions

·         Reliable – written by a leading litigator who also teaches evidence law

 

New in This Edition

 

All subjects have been updated, but the hearsay and opinion evidence chapters have been rigorously updated and expanded.