Training Course 1

 Whatever area of law you decide to specialise in when you enter practice, you will be required to advise on the ramifications that follow the use of electronic evidence and electronic signatures.

Electronic evidence covers every area of law and given that few legal problems presented to lawyers do not include an element of electronic evidence, it is incumbent on lawyers to provide adequate advice to their clients – otherwise a claim for negligence might well succeed.

Electronic evidence is not a ‘niche’ area of evidence: mobile telephones and smartphone are ubiquitous, and people now communicate regularly through social networking sites, e-mail and other virtual methods. No area of human activity is free from the networked world – this also means no area of law is free from the effects of electronic evidence.

Level of knowledge of attendees

No knowledge is necessary. The aim is to look at the basic principles, and local laws and regulations will naturally apply.

Content

· Introduction to electronic evidence

· Laying the foundations, challenges

· Seizure, authenticity, proof of intent

· Digital forensics and forensic tools

· Problem areas

Aims

To alert lawyers to:

1. The importance of electronic evidence and what effect it has on their practice

2. To define ‘electronic evidence’ and offer practical illustrations and case examples

3. Understand the basic issues of electronic evidence to the extent that the need to obtain appropriately qualified technical advice is recognised when it becomes necessary

4. To recognize and illustrate the importance of awareness and knowledge of the nature of digital evidence in respect of the substantial legal and procedural issues in legal proceedings, and to appreciate that failing to challenge false assumptions can lead to a miscarriage of justice.

Be Aware –deploy effectively –  inform - advance