Welcome to Nunn on Evidence, an open-access legal treatise dedicated to democratizing knowledge of evidence law.

The world of legal scholarship is changing. Traditional legal treatises, while invaluable, often come with prohibitive costs and infrequent updates. This can limit access to essential legal knowledge for many students, practitioners, and members of the public who need it most.

Nunn on Evidence was conceived from a simple yet powerful idea: evidence law should be accessible to everyone. We believe that by embracing a new model for creating and disseminating legal knowledge, we can break down old barriers. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date, and affordable resource for understanding the complexities of evidence law.

This treatise is built on a foundation of transparency and collaboration. Here's how it's made: * Expert Drafting: Each section begins with a detailed draft authored by legal experts and scholars. * AI-Assisted Editing: Artificial intelligence is then utilized as a powerful editing tool to refine and enhance the initial drafts, ensuring clarity, precision, and comprehensive coverage. * Human Verification: Finally, every citation and legal assertion undergoes a meticulous verification process by human cite-checkers to guarantee accuracy.

A transparent audit log, available on each page of the treatise, will allow users to see precisely when the content was last reviewed and when the legal citations were verified. Furthermore, our innovative model, free from the constraints of traditional publishing cycles, allows for rapid updates. New developments in case law or statutory amendments can be incorporated into the treatise in a matter of days—not months or years—ensuring that Nunn on Evidence remains a living, breathing resource that reflects the current state of the law.

Ultimately, our hope is that Nunn on Evidence will serve as a testament to the power of combining human expertise with innovative approaches to make legal knowledge more available, affordable, and current than ever before. We aim to open doors that were previously closed, fostering a deeper understanding of evidence law for all.

Purpose and Scope

Evidence law stands at the intersection of procedure and substance, governing what information can be presented in court and how that information may be used. This treatise aims to provide a comprehensive yet accessible exploration of evidence law, with a focus on the Federal Rules of Evidence and their application in U.S. courts.

Our goals in creating this resource are to offer:

• Clear explanations of evidence rules and principles
• Historical context for understanding evidence doctrines
• Analysis of significant case law
• Practical guidance for applying evidence rules
• Identification of emerging trends and challenges

Intended Audience

This treatise is designed to serve multiple audiences:

• Law students seeking to understand the fundamentals of evidence law
• Practicing attorneys who need quick, reliable information about evidence rules
• Judges making evidentiary rulings
• Legal scholars researching evidence doctrines
• Law professors teaching evidence courses

Acknowledgments

I must express my deepest gratitude, first and foremost, to my evidence professor—Edward K. Cheng—who first sparked my interest in both teaching and evidence law. His mentorship and approach to evidence have profoundly shaped my understanding of this field and my dedication to making it accessible to others.

I am also indebted to my colleagues in the field whose incredible work continues to make evidence law the most exciting area in the law. Their scholarship, insights, and willingness to challenge conventional wisdom enrich this discipline daily.

And finally, my sincere thanks to my students, who keep evidence law fun. Their questions, perspectives, and enthusiasm remind me why this field matters and continuously inspire me to find better ways to explain its complexities and relevance.

Alex Nunn May 2025