Evidence of Bad Character in Criminal ... - Law Commission

Clause 20 (cont’d)
EXPLANATORY NOTES
Subsection (2) abolishes the common law hearsay exception which permits evidence of
character to be proved by evidence of a person’s reputation, but only in respect of evidence
of bad character.
Subsection (3)(b) repeals section 27(3) of the Theft Act 1968, which provides for the
admissibility of certain previous convictions of a defendant charged with handling stolen
goods. Such cases will no longer be governed by special rules.
Subsection (4) gives effect to Schedule 2, which repeals various existing provisions.
Clause 21
This clause provides for the Bill’s short title, the date of its coming into force, and its
territorial extent.