Details
- Covers the core areas of criminal law on introductory undergraduate courses, combining an engaging approach with plenty of learning features to make this an ideal text for those new to the subject
- The text includes many learning features in each chapter, such as chapter objectives, case summaries, thinking points, tables and diagrams, chapter summaries, and further reading suggestions. These offer students a high level of support and encourage them to check their understanding of the basic facts and principles
- Offers a clear and reliable basis for students to understand the basic principles of this fundamental topic, on which they can build during the course of their legal studies
- Each chapter includes a section of short revision questions as well as two exam style questions. Outline answers to these exam questions are to be found on the accompanying Online Resource Centre
- There is a dedicated Study Skills chapter at the end of the text providing students with study tips and highlighting common errors and pitfalls faced by students of criminal law
- An extensive Online Resource Centre provides a wide range of extra resources to further support the student in their studies, including a testbank of multiple-choice questions, assessment questions and practical examples, advice on approaching the study of criminal law, and updates on legislation and case law
New to this edition
- Key legislative updates including: The amendments by s.148 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 and s.43 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 to s.76 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008. The amendments to s.5 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 by the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims (Amendment) Act 2012.
- Recent cases such as: Clinton; Parker; Evans (2012), Asmelash (2013), Zebedee (2013) and Dawes; Hatter; Bowyer (2013) on the partial defence of loss of control. Dowds (2012), Brown (2012) and Foye (2013) on the partial defence of diminished responsibility. Clarke and Morabir (2013) on causation. M (2013), Meeking (2012) and Bristow (2013) on unlawful act manslaughter. Lion Steel Equipment Ltd (2012) on corporate manslaughter. B (2013), Ciccarelli (2011), B (2013), Assange v Swedish Prosecution Authority (2011), R (F) v DPP (2013) and McNally (2013) on consent in sexual offences. P v DPP (2013) on the use of force in robbery. Idrees v DPP (2011) Nizzar (2012), O'Leary (2013) and Gilbert (2012) on fraud. Mehta (2012) and Shillam (2013) on consiracy. Montague (2013), Jogee (2013) and Carpenter (2012) on joint enterprise.
- Coverage of new academic papers, including: Arenson, K., 'Thabo Meli Revisited: The Pernicious Effects of Result-driven Decisions' (2013). Doig, G. and Wortley, N., 'Conditional consent? An emerging concept in the law of rape' (2013) 77(4). Fitz-Gibbon, K., 'Replacing provocation in England and Wales: examining the partial defence of loss of control' (2013). Laird, K., 'Conceptualising the interpretation of "dwelling" in section 9 of the Theft Act 1968' [2013]. Peay, J., 'Insanity and automatism: questions from and about the Law Commission's Scoping Paper' [2012]. Thomas, S., 'Do freegans commit theft?' (2010). Virgo, G., 'R v Sadique: making sense of section 46 of the Serious Crime Act 2007' (2013) Wake, N., 'Battered women, startled householders and psychological self-defence: Anglo-Australian perspectives' (2013) Williams, R., 'Voluntary intoxication - a lost cause?' (2013) Woodley, M., 'Bargaining over corporate manslaughter - what price a life?' (2013) Criminal Law Directions is written in an engaging and lively manner with an emphasis on explaining the key topics of Criminal Law courses with clarity. The book incorporates a wide range of learning features to offer students a high level of support. Learning objectives, thinking points, and a wide selection of tables and figures encourage active learning to ensure students understand the fundamental facts and principles, and enabling students to check their understanding of the subject as they progress through the course. Each chapter is finished with a run-down of the main topic points, a selection of short revision questions, as well as two long examination style questions. Outline answers to these questions are available online.
The book's clear structure and cross-referencing enables students to navigate easily through the many aspects of criminal law, making this an ideal text for students new to the subject.
An extensive Online Resource Centre provides a wide range of extra resources to further support the student in their studies, including:
- Multiple choice questions
- Flashcard glossary
- Suggested approaches to the end of chapter exam questions
- Suggested approaches to the end of chapter self-test questions
Readership: This book is primarily aimed at LLB students taking the compulsory criminal law module in their first year, particularly those who require a more accessible text. It would also be suitable for GDL students.
1: Introduction to criminal law
2: Actus reus
3: Mens rea
4: Strict, vicarious, and corporate liability
5: Murder and voluntary manslaughter
6: Involuntary manslaughter
7: Non-fatal offences against the person
8: Sexual offences
9: Theft
10: Other offences against property
11: Fraud
12: Defences I: incapacity and negating the elements of the offence
13: Defences II: general defences
14: Inchoate offences
15: Accessorial liability
16: Study skills
Nicola Monaghan, Senior Teaching Fellow in Law, University of Coventry London Campus
Review(s) from previous edition
"A welcome introductory text which should provide students with clear (but not simplistic) overview of the complex principles and policies of the criminal law. Clearly explained coverage of case law and statute, including important recent developments in the Coroners and Justice Act. - David W Selfe, Director of the School of Law, Liverpool John Moores University
