Section 53 - Evidence of character not admissible to prove conduct

Evidence of a person’s character or a trait of the character of that person is not admissible to prove conduct in conformity with that character or trait of character on a specific occasion, except

(a) in a criminal action, evidence of the character or trait of the character of the accused when offered by the accused to prove the innocence of the accused, or by the prosecution to rebut the evidence previously introduced by the accused; or

(b) in a criminal action, evidence of the character or trait of the character of the victim of the alleged crime when offered by the accused to prove the conduct of the victim in connection with the alleged crime, or by the prosecution for the same purpose; or

(c) evidence of the character or a trait of the character of a witness or hearsay declarant when offered to support or attack the credibility of the witness or declarant;

(d) where character or a trait of character is an essential element of a charge, claim or defence.