"There’s been a murder!"  It's a familiar phrase— but how is a murder actually proved in Scots Law? Many people have served as jurors in criminal trials in Scotland and heard legal terms such as not proven, corroboration, caution, verdict, and sentence being used throughout the case. But what do these concepts really mean? This session offers an opportunity to explore how criminal cases are proved in Scotland and to understand the fundamental rules of evidence that apply. Discuss core concepts such as credibility, reliability, sufficiency, and admissibility, using real criminal cases to illustrate how these ideas operate in practice. Examine the roles played by the Crown, the defence, and the judge in reaching a verdict. Along the way, we will consider current debates in Scots criminal law—including recent discussions about the future of corroboration and the role of juries in serious cases. Whether you are curious about the justice system, have served on a jury, or simply want to understand how criminal trials reach a verdict, this session provides a clear and accessible introduction to the Scottish law of evidence.

An adult learning class from one of CLL’s satellite facilities, Thomas Graham Community Library.