Criminal law

Criminal law is one of the seven foundations of legal knowledge that, among other things, must be completed as part of your law degree if you want to fulfil the academic component of Bar training in England and Wales.

This module is concerned with the general principles of criminal liability, fatal and non-fatal offences against the person and offences against property. Attempts to commit offences, secondary liability and defences also form part of the curriculum.

Topics covered

• General principles of criminal law.
• Actus reus. Act requirements. Liability for omissions and situational ability.
• Causation.
• Mens rea. Intention recklessness and negligenc.
• Coincidence of actus reus and mens rea.
• General defences 1. Insanity. Automatism. Intoxication
• General defences 2. Necessity. Duress. Self-defence. Consent.
• Murder and voluntary manslaughter.
• Involuntary manslaughter.
• Non-fatal offences 1. Section 39 Criminal Justice Act 1988.
• Non-fatal offences 2. Sections 18, 20, 47 OAPA 1861.
• Rape.
• Theft. Fraud. Burglary.
• Criminal damage.
• Secondary participation.

Learning outcomes

If you complete the module successfully you should be able to:

• Explain the relationship between morality, policy and principle in common law and legislative provisions in criminal law
• Describe and analyse the legal principles governing liability for: (i) non-fatal offences; (ii) criminal homicide; (iii) property crimes; and (iv) inchoate offences
• Describe and analyse the legal principles governing liability as an accomplice
• Identify and apply the legal principles governing criminal defences
• Demonstrate an understanding of the hierarchy of courts and the appeal process in criminal cases
• Identify and explain the points of comparison and distinction between different offences within the same family, and different criminal defences
• Demonstrate an understanding of how questions of morality, policy and principle influence reform and proposals for reform in the criminal law.
• Analyse a set of facts, providing reasoned arguments and conclusions as to the criminal offences that may have been committed and defences that may be available
• Analyse an area of law with a view to showing understanding of its strengths and weaknesses in terms of underlying considerations of
  morality, principle and policy
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in a clear and concise manner, using accurate legal terminology, referring to primary and secondary sources of law and giving practical examples
• With guidance, use legal databases and the internet to locate primary and secondary sources relevant to criminal law.

Assessment

Timed unseen examination

Essential reading

Wilson, W. and L. Lammasniemi Criminal law. (Harlow: Pearson, 2024) eighth edition [ISBN 9781292468358]