We are very pleased to announce that a new classification scheme for Evidence is now available on FirstPoint on Westlaw AU.

The new classification scheme is a result of a comprehensive reissue of the Australian Digest Evidence title undertaken by Senior Legal Editor Sarah-Jane Greenaway BA LLB. During the reissue process, Sarah-Jane reviewed thousands of reported digest notes classified to Evidence and carefully crafted a detailed classification scheme that reflects the order in which evidentiary issues typically arise during trial, following the structure of the Evidence Act 1995 wherever possible.

In the main, the focus of Evidence is the law of evidence as it applies in civil cases. High Court decisions in criminal matters are included, in order to present an authoritative overview of evidence law. The scope of Evidence is heavily influenced by the Australian Law Reform Commission’s recommendation that the scope of the (then) proposed Commonwealth Evidence Act only encompass provisions of an adjectival nature; that is, rules governing how matters are argued in court.

The new Evidence classification scheme is unique to FirstPoint and the Australian Digest. The headings in the classification scheme allow FirstPoint users to find cases on the point of law represented by the heading in one easy click — a feature that is unique to FirstPoint.

All cases and digest notes that were previously classified to the superseded Evidence classification scheme have been moved into the new classification scheme on FirstPoint.

Australian Digest subscribers will receive their reissued Evidence pages in coming weeks. These pages include the edited digest notes of reported cases relating to Evidence, classified to the new scheme.