The good character backstop: directions, defeasibility and frameworks of fairness
Abstract
This paper examines the law on good character evidence in criminal trials through a discussion of the important but under-analysed case of Hunter, in which a five-judge Court of Appeal sought to clarify the law on good character directions to the jury. However, it is argued here that the judgment conflicts with the leading House of Lords decision in Aziz. The paper considers how the court misinterpreted the law and, in particular, the defeasible nature of the rule in Aziz and the impact of the Criminal Justice Act 2003. As a result, the circumstances in which a good character direction will be provided have diminished significantly. It is argued that this has important implications for the right to a fair trial, as good character directions act as a ‘backstop’ against miscarriages of justice. They also form a vital part of the ‘framework of fairness’ considered necessary, in lieu of reasoned jury verdicts, by the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in Taxquet v Belgium. Accordingly, it is contended that Aziz rather than Hunter should be followed so that, where there is evidence of good character, a direction is normally provided as a matter of law.Citation
Glover, R. (2020) The good character backstop: directions, defeasibility and frameworks of fairness, Legal Studies, 40 (4), pp. 675-693 DOI: 10.1017/lst.2020.29Publisher
Cambridge University PressJournal
Legal StudiesAdditional Links
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/legal-studiesType
Journal articleLanguage
enDescription
This is an accepted manuscript of an article published by Cambridge University Press in Legal Studies on 04/09/2020, available online: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/legal-studies/article/abs/good-character-backstop-directions-defeasibility-and-frameworks-of-fairness/9CDC5B6662B5C775D021CD9A59B1555E The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.ISSN
0261-3875ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1017/lst.2020.29
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