Neil Kibble

PhD Supervision Interests

I would be happy to receive applications from potential Doctoral students in the areas of: criminal evidence (especially in sex offence cases,evidence proof and facts, and evidence of bad character; criminal law (especially rape and other sex offences); comparative criminal law & procedure; judges, juries & lay participation in criminal trials; judicial independence & accountability; affirmative action.

Current Teaching

Legal Method

Research Interests

My current research is focused around evidentiary issues surrounding the relevance and admissibility of prior sexual history in sex offence cases. I am exploring atomistic and holistic approaches to the analysis of relevance, examining the literature on the prejudicial effect of sexual history evidence and exploring myth-based critiques of relevance and the proposed use of expert evidence to counter rape myths and stereotypes. I am also exploring the tensions and points of departure between judicial and academic constructions of relevance. My research for the Criminal Bar Association involved conducting individual and small-group interviews with 77 judges in order to explore judicial decision-making in relation to the relevance and admissibility of sexual history evidence.

I am also exploring judicial decision-making and judicial discretion in the conduct of trials, and the relevance and admissibility of evidence of bad character.

I have also researched and published on other topics reflecting both a longstanding interest in comparative criminal law and procedure, and close academic connections with the United Arab Emirates. For example, I have recently completed a report for the United Arab EmiratesFederal National Council on "The Role of Lay Participation in the Criminal Justice System: the Classic Jury and the Collaborative Court". I also have a continuing interest in exploring judicial independence and accountability.

Additional Information

Case Comments

R v Doody [2009] Crim LR 590

R v Harris [2010] Crim LR 54

R v Winter [2008] Crim LR 971

R v Hamadi [2008] Crim LR 635

R v C [2008] Crim LR 394

R v Beedall [2007] Crim LR 910

Recent Invited Presentations/Lectures to Professional Bodies:

Ajman University of Science & Technology " Lay Participation in Criminal Trials: the Jury and the Collaborative Court" 26th February 2009

Gray's Inn Serious Sex Offences Seminar, "Problems in the Operation of Section 41 YJCE 1999", Gray's Inn, 27th September 2008

Gray's Inn Serious Sex Offences Seminar, "Problems in the Operation of Section 41 YJCE 1999", Gray's Inn, 9th June 2007

Western Circuit Serious Sex Offences Seminar, Debate with Prof. Temkin on section 41 and sexual history evidence, 17th March 2007.

Wales & Chester Circuit Serious Sex Offences Seminar, Lecture "Section 41 Applications", St. David's Hotel, Cardiff, 20th January 2007

JSB Serious Sex Offences Seminar, Lecture "Problems in the Operation of Section 41 YJCE 1999", Scarman House, Univ. of Warwick, 20th November 2006

Northern Circuit Serious Sex Offences Seminar, Lecture "Section 41 Applications", Haydock, 18th November 2006

North Wales & Chester Barristers Serious Sex Offences Seminar, Lecture "Section 41 Applications", Mold Crown Court, 18th November 2006

Moscow State Academy of Law "Balancing Judicial Independence and Accountability" 26th September 2006

Ajman University of Science & Technology "Legal Education: Comparative Perspectives" 14th September 2006