Skip navigation

Northumbria academic gives Lecture at world famous Old Bailey

7th March 2016

Doctor Michael Stockdale from Northumbria University’s Law School has given a lecture to the Criminal Bar Association at the Old Bailey on recent changes in expert evidence law.

Speaking to some of the country’s leading figures in criminal law Dr. Stockdale explored recent developments in the law relating to the admissibility and scope of expert evidence in criminal proceedings. This is particularly topical following changes to the Criminal Procedure Rules and the introduction of a new Criminal Practice Direction. His lecture focused heavily on how such evidence can be tested and challenged with particular reference to evidentiary reliability and impartiality. He identified several potential amendments to the Rules and the Practice Direction which he argued could enhance their utility.   

Dr. Stockdale was described by the Criminal Bar Association as one of the country’s leading academics in the area of evidence law, He was joined at the Old Bailey by colleagues from Northumbria’s Centre for Evidence and Criminal Justice Studies (NCECJS) – a nationally-renowned research centre covering the legal system in the UK and other European and common law countries.

James Mulholland Q.C., Director of Education at the Criminal Bar Association, introduced the lecture.

Dr. Stockdale said: “Being invited to lecture at the Old Bailey in front of so many eminent criminal lawyers was a huge honour, especially on such an important and topical area of recent legal change. It also gave us the opportunity to discuss the research of the NCECJS with members of the Criminal Bar Association and to invite other legal practitioners to join our growing number of external members”.

In its 2011 report on expert evidence in criminal cases the Law Commission made a number of recommendations which have now been introduced into criminal procedure. NCECJS contributed to this consultation process, was referenced several times in the Law Commission’s final report and is at the forefront of research exploring what the subsequent  changes mean for criminal justice. Northumbria Law School provides expert guidance on these changes via its teaching to undergraduate and postgraduate students. NCECJS also plans to apply its ongoing research by developing expert evidence training for legal practitioners and expert witnesses.

For more information on the NCECJS please click on the newsletter link below:

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/-/media/corporate-website/documents/pdfs/nu-law/e-ncecjs-newsletter-issue-3a.ashx.  

comments powered by Disqus

News

a sign in front of a crowd
+

Northumbria Open Days

Open Days are a great way for you to get a feel of the University, the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and the course(s) you are interested in.

Research at Northumbria
+

Research at Northumbria

Research is the life blood of a University and at Northumbria University we pride ourselves on research that makes a difference; research that has application and affects people's lives.

NU World
+

Explore NU World

Find out what life here is all about. From studying to socialising, term time to downtime, we’ve got it covered.


Latest News and Features

academic Jennifer Aston pictured in a law library holding an open book
Launch of The Regeneration Shop in Chopwell. Sarah Cotton, Senior Programmes Manager at Chopwell Regeneration Group; Jennine Wilson, Lecturer in Fashion and Senior Technician at Northumbria University; Hal Convery, Shop Manager at The Regeneration Shop; Crystal Hicks, Executive Director of Chopwell Regeneration Group; Gayle Cantrell, Assistant Professor BA Fashion Communication at Northumbria University; Sophie Wetherell, Assistant Professor BA Fashion / MA Fashion Design at Northumbria University; Emma Jane Goldsmith Assistant Professor BA Fashion / MA Fashion Design at Northumbria University; Professor Anne Peirson-Smith, Head of Fashion at Northumbria University.
Mooting
A new toolkit has been developed to support rural communities with the development of renewable energy projects. Photo: Adobe Stock
From left to right: Natalie Winchester, Subject Lead Health and Social Care and Post-16 Raising Standard Leader at Bede Academy, Dr Julie Derbyshire – Director of Apprenticeships and Assistant Professor in Nursing at Northumbria University, Andrew Thelwell – Principal at Bede Academy, Professor Alison Machin, Head of Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health at Northumbria University and pupils from Bede Academy.
British Military Uniform
the planet Saturn
an image depicting cyber security

Back to top