PRLG 115

This course examines the standards and rules Canadian courts use to determine the proof of a claim in a trial setting. Central concepts such as establishing materiality and relevance, identifying hearsay, characterizing evidence as direct or circumstantial, burdens of proof, presumptions in evidence, Judicial Notice, the role of expert witnesses, and the testimonial qualifications of witnesses will be examined. Students will be introduced to provincial and federal evidence acts and their application; how law enforcement bodies collect, preserve, and present evidence at trial; the underlying rationale for the rules of evidence and the principles upon which they are based; the various types of evidence and their application/admissibility at trial; the presentation of evidence, including examination in chief and cross examination; privileged communications and other types of excluded evidence; and the effects of changes and decisions in Canadian evidence law. -- Prerequisite -- Admission to the Paralegal diploma program -- Corequisite -- None. -- Pre or Corequisite -- None. Section information text: Instructional Method - Online with scheduled meeting times. Note: in-person exams may apply to some online courses.