Part 11Evidence

Chapter 1Evidence of bad character

Introductory

98“Bad character”

References in this Chapter to evidence of a person’s “bad character” are to evidence of, or of a disposition towards, misconduct on his part, other than evidence which—

a

has to do with the alleged facts of the offence with which the defendant is charged, or

b

is evidence of misconduct in connection with the investigation or prosecution of that offence.

99Abolition of common law rules

1

The common law rules governing the admissibility of evidence of bad character in criminal proceedings are abolished.

2

Subsection (1) is subject to section 118(1) in so far as it preserves the rule under which in criminal proceedings a person’s reputation is admissible for the purposes of proving his bad character.