Legislation that changes the rules on what evidence can be heard in court has been approved by the House of Keys.

The Criminal Evidence Bill received a third reading on Tuesday.

The bill updates the law to allow such things as text messages and social media posts, possibly even emojis, to be used in evidence. Up until now they have been ruled out as hearsay.

Home Affairs department member Dr Alex Allinson MHK said this week: ’The purpose of the bill is to place procedures relating to the use of hearsay evidence in criminal court cases in Manx law and to ensure they reflect reality in the 21st century.

’The bill will also provide a legal framework in relation to how a person’s character, or rather their bad character, may or may not be used in court and provides appropriate safeguards.’

The new rules mirror UK legislation, which was brought in 15 years ago.

The bill was brought forward as a matter of urgency after a defence team in a Manx drugs trial argued that a text message was ’hearsay’ and therefore inadmissible.

It has safeguards to ensure any of the newly permitted evidence is appropriate to be heard in court, Dr Allinson has pledged.

The bill originated in the Legislative Council and it will have to be sent back there, as a technical amendment was made in the Keys.