This book provides a balance between analytical discussion of the principles and the practical application of the law and includes numerous illustrations and practice-related situations for this purpose. It offers students an intensely detailed and integrated portrait of the litigation process (including procedure and advocacy) and is therefore a vital source of reference for their studies. This book recognises that this subject is particularly difficult primarily because of the difficulties inherent in the Evidence Act (a significant part of which remains in the state it was enacted in 1893), and the tension between this statute and the constantly developing common law. No effort is spared in tackling these problems and examining all applicable sources of law. This highly successful publication has already sold thousands of copies in the course of the first six editions.