609. The fourth gateway: important matter in issue between the defendant and the prosecution.

In criminal proceedings1, evidence of the defendant's bad character2 is admissible if3 it is relevant to an important matter in issue between the defendant and the prosecution (or if one of the other criteria for allowing admissibility is satisfied)4.

For these purposes, 'important matter' means a matter of substantial importance in the context of the case as a whole5; and