Publication of the new 17th Edition of Phipson is an occasion for welcome and congratulation. There are few topics in the law of so wide a reach， of such importance， and yet so demanding of illumination. Phipson is equal to its task. Its breadth is breathtaking. Where else can one find teaching of such quality in relation to the criminal law， the law relating to opinion evidence and to experts and the evidential role and use of statistics?
本书作为一部阐释证据法之哲学基础的著作，是证据法学基础理论研究领域的重要文献。何福来教授在书中从事实认定者的内部立场这一独特角度出发，分析事实认定者在履行职责过程中需要遵循的各种规则。其重要观点是：公正问题必须被置于首要位置，要优先于社会政策所发挥的作用。如果违背了这一点，刑事司法制度就难以通过道德正当性的检验。这部著作在证据法学领域非常重要，值得被证据法学者以及其他对法律事实认定之道德原则和认识论感兴趣的人们深入研读。
