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Biography
Liz Heffernan, LL.B. (Dublin), LL.M. (Dalhousie), LL.M. & J.S.D. (Chicago), M.Ed. (Dublin), Barrister-at-Law, Attorney-at-Law.
Liz Heffernan graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a Bachelor of Laws ( LL.B.) degree and was subsequently awarded a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree by Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree and a Doctor in Jurisprudence (J.S.D.) degree by the University of Chicago. She was awarded a Master in Education (M.Ed.) degree by Trinity College Dublin in 2018.
Dr. Heffernan previously worked as a legal researcher at the Law Reform Commission, Dublin, a legal officer at the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organisation, Rome, and a law clerk at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Chicago.
Dr. Heffernan taught at the Law School Trinity College Dublin from 1990 to 1994, at Washington & Lee University School of Law, Lexington, Virginia from 1995-1996 and 1999-2000, and at the Law School, University College Dublin from 2001-2007.
Publications and Further Research Outputs
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Liz Heffernan, The Duty to Seek Out and Preserve Evidence: DPP v SQ, Irish Criminal Law Journal , 33, (3), 2023, p58 - 63 Journal Article, 2023
The European Court System and Its Role in Shaping European Criminal Law in, editor(s)Kai Ambos and Peter Rackow , The Cambridge Companion to European Criminal Law, Cambridge, UK, Cambridge University Press, 2023, pp30 - 58, [Liz Heffernan] Book Chapter, 2023
The Evolution of EU Law and Policy in Criminal Justice in, editor(s)Liz Heffernan , Criminal Law and Justice in the European Union, Dublin, Clarus Press, 2022, pp1 - 15, [Liz Heffernan] Book Chapter, 2022
Victim Participation in the Criminal Trial Process under the EU Victims' Rights Directive in, editor(s)Liz Heffernan , Criminal Law and Justice in the European Union, Dublin, Clarus Press, 2022, pp167 - 182, [Liz Heffernan] Book Chapter, 2022
Liz Heffernan, Criminal Law and Justice in the European Union, First, Dublin, Clarus Press, 2022, 1 - 182pp Book, 2022
Liz Heffernan, Surveillance, Statutory Compliance and the Admissibility of Evidence: DPP v Hannaway, Irish Supreme Court Review, 4, 2022, p101 - 118 Journal Article, 2022
Liz Heffernan, Legislating for Vulnerable Witnesses: Unpacking Part III of the Criminal Evidence Act 1992, Dublin University Law Journal, 43, (1), 2021, p103 - 106 Journal Article, 2021
Dublin University Law Journal, 43, 1, (2021), 1 - 158p, Liz Heffernan, [Guest Editor] Journal, 2021
Vulnerability in the Irish Criminal Trial Process: The Situation of Giving Evidence in, editor(s)James Gallen and Tanya Ní Mhuirithile , Law, Responsibility and Vulnerability: State Accountability and Responsiveness, Abingdon-on-Thames, Routledge, 2021, pp51 - 63, [Liz Heffernan] Book Chapter, 2021
Threats to Security and Risks to Rights: 'Belief Evidence' under the Offences Against the State Act in, editor(s)Mark Coen , The Offences Against the State Act 1939 at 80: A Model Counter-Terrorism Act?, Oxford, UK, Hart Publishing, 2021, pp95 - 110, [Liz Heffernan and Eoin O'Connor] Book Chapter, 2021
Liz Heffernan, Oaths, Affirmations and Statements of Truth, Irish Law Times, 39, (11), 2021, p159 - 163 Journal Article, 2021
Undisclosed Evidence in Court Proceedings in Ireland in, editor(s)Benjamin Vogel , Secret Evidence in Criminal Proceedings, Berlin, Dunker & Humblot, 2021, pp218 - 247, [Liz Heffernan and Eoin O'Connor] Book Chapter, 2021
Liz Heffernan, Statutory Presumptions Affecting the Burden of Proof: DPP v Forsey [2018] IESC 55, Irish Supreme Court Review, 2, 2020, p101 - 115 Journal Article, 2020
Liz Heffernan, European Higher Education: The Legal Foundations of the Bologna Process, Irish Journal of European Law, 22, (1), 2020, p34 - 46 Journal Article, 2020
Liz Heffernan, Evidence in Criminal Trials, Second, Dublin, Bloomsbury Professional, 2020, 1 - 966pp Book, 2020
Liz Heffernan, Irish Criminal Trials and European Legal Culture: A Backdrop to Brexit, Journal of Criminal Law Online First, 2020, p1 - 14 Journal Article, 2020 URL
Undergraduate Learning in Evidence: Complexities, Challenges and Opportunities in, editor(s)Y Daly, J Gans and PJ Schwikkard , Teaching Evidence Law: Contemporary Trends and Innovations, Abingdon, Oxon, UK, Routledge, 2020, pp97 - 108, [Liz Heffernan] Book Chapter, 2020
Liz Heffernan, The Corroboration Requirement for Confession Evidence, Irish Law Times, 38, (16), 2020, p244 - 248 Journal Article, 2020
Irish Journal of European Law, Dublin, Irish Society for European Law, [Archives Editor], 2020 Editorial Board, 2020
Liz Heffernan, The Transition to the Undergraduate Study of Law: A Short Case Study, Irish Law Times, 37, (8), 2019, p116-120 Journal Article, 2019
Liz Heffernan, The View of the Crime Scene, Criminal Law and Practice Review, 2, (1), 2018, p19 - 27 Journal Article, 2018
Liz Heffernan and David Prendergast(ed.), Criminal Law: Recent Developments and Emerging Trends, Criminal Law and Practice Review, Trinity College Dublin, 2, (1), 19 April 2018, Clarus Press, 2018, 1-143 p Proceedings of a Conference, 2018
Liz Heffernan, Access to Justice as a Threshold Concept, Nottingham Law Journal, 27, (2), 2018, p8 - 16 Journal Article, 2018
Expert Evidence and Law Reform in Ireland in, editor(s)Paul Roberts and Michael Stockdale , Forensic Science Evidence and Expert Witness Testimony: Reliability Through Reform?, Cheltenham, UK, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2018, pp247 - 274, [Liz Heffernan] Book Chapter, 2018
Liz Heffernan, The Participation of Victims in the Trial Process, Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly, 68, (4), 2017, p491 - 504 Journal Article, 2017
Liz Heffernan, The Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016: Special Measures for Victims who Give Evidence at Trial, Dublin University Law Journal, 40, (1), 2017, p37 - 61 Journal Article, 2017
Liz Heffernan and David Kenny, Legal Education: A Reflective, Collaborative Approach to Peer Observation of Teaching, Dublin University Law Journal, 40, (1), 2017, p205 - 216 Journal Article, 2017
International Journal of Evidence and Proof, London, Sage Publishing, [Editorial Board Member], 2016 Editorial Board, 2016
Liz Heffernan, Calibrating the Right to Confrontation, The International Journal of Evidence and Proof, 20, (2), 2016, p103 - 111 Journal Article, 2016
Defamation and Privacy and the Rome II Regulation in, editor(s)P Stone & y Farah , Research Handbook on EU Private International Law, Cheltenham, UK, Edward Elgar, 2015, pp315 - 343, [David Kenny & Liz Heffernan] Book Chapter, 2015
Liz Heffernan, The Taking of Forensic Samples from Suspects under the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Act 2014, Practice and Procedure Review, 1, (1), 2015, p1 - 17 Journal Article, 2015
Liz Heffernan (with U Ni Raifeartaigh), Evidence in Criminal Trials, First, Dublin, Bloomsbury Professional, 2014, 1 - 781pp Book, 2014
Liz Heffernan, The Statutory Retention of Fingerprints, Criminal Law and Practice Review, 1, (1), 2014, p143 - 148 Journal Article, 2014
Liz Heffernan, Hearsay in Criminal Trials: The Strasbourg Perspective, Irish Jurist, 49, (1), 2013, p132- Journal Article, 2013
Heffernan, Liz, The Right to Legal Advice, Reasonable Access and the Remedy of Excluding Evidence, Criminal Law and Procedure Review, 1, (1), 2011, p111 - 129 Journal Article, 2011
Heffernan, Liz, Legal Professional Privilege, First, Dublin, Ireland, Bloomsbury Professional , 2011, 1 - 297pp Book, 2011
Liz Heffernan, The Fourth Amendment's Exclusionary Rule: Blurring the Line between Rule and Exception, International Commentary on Evidence, 9, (2), 2011 Journal Article, 2011
Heffernan, Liz, Police Accountability and the Irish Law of Evidence, Crime, Law and Social Change, 55, (2-3), 2011, p185 - 197 Journal Article, 2011
Criminal Law and Procedure Review, 1, 1, (2011), 1 - 157p, Bacik, Ivana and Heffernan, Liz, [eds.], Since 2011 Journal, 2011
M. Coen and L. Heffernan, Juror Comprehension of Expert Evidence: A Reform Agenda, Criminal Law Review, 2010, (3), 2010, p195 - 211 Journal Article, 2010
Liz Heffernan, "Evidence and National Security: Belief Evidence Before the Irish Special Criminal Court", European Public Law, 15, (1), 2009, p65 - 87 Journal Article, 2009
"Rome II: Implications for Irish Tort Litigation" in, editor(s)J. Ahern and W. Binchy , The Rome II Regulation Governing Non-Contractual Obligations, Leiden, Brill Publishers, 2009, pp257 - 276, [Liz Heffernan] Book Chapter, 2009
I.C. Bacik and L. Heffernan, Criminal Law and Procedure: Current Issues and Emerging Trends, Dublin, First Law, 2009, 1 - 178pp Book, 2009
Liz Heffernan, DNA and fingerprint data retention: S and Marper v UK, European Law Review, 34, (3), 2009, p491 - 504 Journal Article, 2009
L. Heffernan and M. coen, The Reliability of Expert Evidence: Reflections on the Law Commission's Proposals for Reform, Journal of Criminal Law, 73, 2009, p488 - 507 Journal Article, 2009
"Expert Evidence in Medical Negligence Litigation" in, editor(s)C. Craven and W. Binchy , Medical Negligence Litigation: Emerging Issues, Dublin, First Law, 2008, pp110 - 138, [Liz Heffernan] Book Chapter, 2008
"Evidentiary Rights under Article 38.1: The Right to Fair Trial and Informer Privilege" in, editor(s)E. Carolan and O. Doyle , The Irish Constitution: Governance and Values, Dublin, Thomson Round Hall, 2008, pp279 - 292, [Liz Heffernan] Book Chapter, 2008
Liz Heffernan, "A DNA Database", Irish Criminal Law Journal, 18, 2008, p105 - 111 Journal Article, 2008
L. Heffernan, R. Ryan and E.J. Imwinkelried, Evidentiary Foundations: Irish Edition, Dublin, Tottel Publishing, 2008, i - 244pp Book, 2008
Liz Heffernan, "The Recording of Fingerprints: Legal Aspects", Dublin University Law Journal, 28, 2006, p201 - 220 Journal Article, 2006
L. Heffernan, Scientific Evidence: Fingerprints and DNA, Dublin, First Law, 2006, i - 279pp Book, 2006
Liz Heffernan, "The Taking of Forensic Samples: A Review of Proposed Reforms", Irish Criminal Law Journal, 16, 2006, p2 - 9 Journal Article, 2006
Liz Heffernan, "Gauging the Reliability of Scientific Evidence in Tort", Judicial Studies Institute Journal, 6, 2006, p140 - 170 Journal Article, 2006
Liz Heffernan, "The Law Reform Commission's Proposed DNA Database: Issues of Scope", Medical Legal Journal of Ireland, 12, (2), 2006, p56 - 64 Journal Article, 2006
Liz Heffernan, "Effective Judicial Remedies: The Limits of Direct and Indirect Access to the European Community Courts", Law and Practice of International Courts and Tribunals, 5, 2006, p285 - 304 Journal Article, 2006
L. Heffernan and E.j. Imwinkelried, "The Accused's Constitutional Right to Introduce Critical, Demonstrably Reliable Exculpatory Evidence", Irish Jurist, 40, 2005, p111 - 137 Journal Article, 2005
Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications
Liz Heffernan, Belief Evidence in the SCC: Privilege and the Dilemma over Disclosure, Lunchtime Research Seminar Series, Trinity College Dublin Law School, 16 February 2025, 2025 Oral Presentation, 2025
David Fennelly and Liz Heffernan, EU Criminal Law: The Evolving Role of the Court of Justice, Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference 2023, DCU, Dublin, 10-11 November 2023, 2023 Oral Presentation, 2023
Liz Heffernan, Expert Evidence in Civil Proceedings: The Independence of the Witness and the Reliability of their Evidence, Irish Law Times, 41, (14), 2023, p193 - 197 Journal Article, 2023
Liz Heffernan, EU Criminal Law, EU Criminal Law: Cooperation and Mutual Trust post-Brexit, Trinity College Dublin, 9 December 2022, edited by Liz Heffernan , 2022 Conference Paper, 2022
Liz Heffernan, Legislating for Vulnerable Witnesses, The Criminal Evidence Act 1992, Law School, Trinity College Dublin, 3 September 2021, edited by Liz Heffernan , 2021 Conference Paper, 2021
Liz Heffernan, The Irish Common Law Trial and European Legal Culture, Common Law and Prisoner Transfer in a Post-Brexit Europe, Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK, 12 November 2020, 2020 Conference Paper, 2020
Liz Heffernan, Recent Adjustments to the Adversarial Law of Evidence, ICJA Conference Report, Sexual Offences: The Challenge of Balancing Rights in the Criminal Justice System, Dublin Castle, Dublin, 4 June 2019, 2019 Conference Paper, 2019
Liz Heffernan, Improperly Obtained Evidence in Anglo-American and Continental Law, Review of Improperly Obtained Evidence in Anglo-American and Continental Law, by Dimitrios Giannoupopoulos , Dublin University Law Journal, 42, (1), 2019, p223-225 Review, 2019
Liz Heffernan, Legal Education:Threshold Concepts and Access to Justice, Irish Association of Law Teachers, Athlone, 23-25 November 2018, 2018 Conference Paper, 2018
Liz Heffernan, Book Review: David Burrows, Children's Views and Evidence, Review of Children's Views and Evidence, by David Burrows , Irish Jurist, 18, (1), 2018, p156-157 Review, 2018
Liz Heffernan, Victim Participation in Common Law Trials: An Irish Perspective, Anglo-American Criminal Law and Justice Lecture Series, University of Gottingen, Germany, 25 April 2017, 2017, Institute for Criminal Law and Justice Invited Talk, 2017
Liz Heffernan, Confrontation in the Courtroom, Doctoral Seminar Series, University of Gottingen, Germany, 25 April 2017, 2017, Institute for Criminal Law and Justice Invited Talk, 2017
Liz Heffernan, A Foundation for Access to Justice: Unlocking the First Year Curriculum, Legal Education and Access to Justice, Nottingham Trent University, UK, 19 June 2015, 2015 Conference Paper, 2015
Liz Heffernan, Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Act 2014 Annotation, Irish Current Law Statutes Annotated, 11-01-11-310, 2014 Journal Article, 2014
Heffernan, Liz, DNA and the ECHR: Rights, Rules and Technicalities, Databases, Surveillance and Crime Control, Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, 8 December 2009, 2010 Conference Paper, 2010
Criminal Evidence in, editor(s)R. Byrne and W. Binchy , Annual Review of Irish Law 2008, Dublin, Round Hall, 2009, pp245 - 272, [Liz Heffernan] Book Chapter, 2009
The Duty to Preserve Evidence in, editor(s)I.C. Bacik and L. Heffernan , Criminal Law and Procedure: Current Issues and Emerging Trends, Dublin, First Law, 2009, pp53 - 71, [Liz Heffernan] Book Chapter, 2009
The Retention of DNA and Fingerprint Data in, editor(s)I.C. Bacik and L. Heffernan , Criminal Law and Procedure: Current Issues and Emerging Trends , Dublin, First Law, 2009, pp163 - 173, [Liz Heffernan] Book Chapter, 2009
"Evidence" in, editor(s)R. Byrne and W. Binchy , Annual Review of Irish Law 2007, Dublin, Thomson Round Hall, 2008, pp286 - 318, [Liz Heffernan] Book Chapter, 2008
L. Heffernan, Evidence: Cases and Materials, Dublin, Thomson Round Hall, 2005, i - 687pp Book, 2005
Liz Heffernan, Education and Training of Judges, Lawyers and the Police: ENFSI Project Forjust, International Conference on Forensic Issues, Riga, Latvia, 25 September 2008 Conference Paper,
Liz Heffernan, Adjudication on the Law of Evidence in the Irish Court of Criminal Appeal, SLS Annual Conference, University of Nottingham, 9 September 2014, edited by SLS Conference Paper,
Liz Heffernan, A DNA Database, Conference on Forensic Science, Trinity College Dublin, 20 June 2007 Conference Paper,
Liz Heffernan, Police Accountability and the Law of Evidence, Police Governance and Accountability: Developments, Challenges and Outlook, Centre for Criminal Justice, Limerick, 3-4 December 2009 Conference Paper,
Liz Heffernan, Evidence Update: The Duty to Preserve and Developments Relating to Disclosure, Developments in Criminal Law and Procedure, Trinity College Dublin, 6 December 2008 Conference Paper,
Liz Heffernan, DNA and the ECHR: Rights, Rules and Technicalities, Databases, Surveillance and Crime Control, Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, 8 December 2009 Conference Paper,
Liz Heffernan, Taking Liberties with Limits on the Retention of DNA Samples and Profiles, Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference, University of Durham, UK, 11 September 2007 Conference Paper,
Liz Heffernan, The ECHR in the Irish Law of Evidence, Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland, 5 September 2013 Conference Paper,
Liz Heffernan, Criminal Disclosure, Disclosure and Discovery in Criminal Cases, Distillery Building, Dublin, 21 May 2014, edited by Law Reform Commission Conference Paper,
Liz Heffernan, A Foundation for Access to Justice: Unlocking the First Year Curriculum, Legal Education and Access to Justice, Nottingham Trent University, UK, 19 June 2015 Conference Paper,
Liz Heffernan, A DNA Database, 4th Annual North-South Criminology Conference, DIT, Dublin, 24 June 2008 Conference Paper,
Liz Heffernan, Rome II: Implications for Irish Tort Litigation, Rome II Regulation on Law Applicable to Non-Contractual Obligations, Trinity College Dublin, 21 June 2008 Conference Paper,
Liz Heffernan, Expert Evidence in Medical Negligence Litigation, Medical Negligence: Recent Developments, Trinity College Dublin, 13 October 2007 Conference Paper,
Liz Heffernan, The Right to Fair Trial and Informer Privilege, The Constitution at 70, Trinity College Dublin, 8-9 June 2007 Conference Paper,
Liz Heffernan, Scientific Evidence and Criminal Justice: Anglo-American Perspectives, Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference, LSE, London, 17 September 2008 Conference Paper,
Liz Heffernan, Thinking About Hearsay, Irish Jurisprudence Society Workshop, Trinity College Dublin, 3 April 2014 Conference Paper,
Recognition
Awards and Honours
Trinity Excellence in Teaching Award 2024
Shortlisted for Trinity Excellence in Teaching Award 2021
Finalist for Law Book of the Year at Irish Law Awards 2021
Universal Design in Teaching and Learning Badge (National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education) 2021