The mastery of the rules of evidence is indispensable in the armoury of every lawyer. This new second edition of Law of Evidence: A Commentary marks a significant leap from the original 2020 edition with fully updated and expanded commentary on the Evidence Act 1950.

The principles of law developed through cases over the years, both local and foreign, are skilfully distilled and succinctly summarised for the easy guidance of readers. The decisions of the Indian courts which are important for a better understanding of evidence law have been carefully considered and discussed. Instructive cross-references guide users through the intricacies of the working of the Malaysian law of evidence.

For legal professionals and students alike, this updated version is invaluable, bridging the gap between fundamental

evidence rules and Malaysia’s rapidly modernising judicial landscape.

Key developments covered in this new edition

• Impact of the Evidence (Amendment) Act 2024, which removed section 133A and amended section 118 to align child witness evidence with the Evidence of Child Witness Act 2007.
• Consideration of new mandatory inquiry to rebut the competency of child witness and whether conviction can be sustained on uncorroborated unsworn evidence of a child.
• Review of the procedure for pre-recorded testimony of child witness.
• Recent Federal Court developments regarding the admissibility of DNA evidence to rebut the “conclusive” presumption of legitimacy under section 112 of the Evidence Act 1950.
• Discussion of emerging developments in evidence law, including comparative insights from India’s Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 and reforms to the Singapore Evidence Act, highlighting potential directions for modernising Malaysia’s evidence law.
• Updated and expanded appendices, including revised commentary on the Bankers’ Books (Evidence) Act 1949 and a new appendix on the Evidence of Child Witness Act 2007.

Key Feature

• Clear and analytical section-by-section commentary, explaining the operation, interpretation and practical application of each provision of the Evidence Act 1950.
• Up-to-date text of all provisions of the Evidence Act 1950.
• Comprehensive case law analysis, incorporating leading Malaysian decisions together with persuasive authorities from India, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
• Historical context and legislative cross-references, helping readers understand how evidentiary provisions interact with related statutes such as the Criminal Procedure Code.
• Practical and accessible guide, presenting complex principles of evidence in a structured and readable format.