LAW20400 Criminal Offences and Defences

Academic Year 2021/2022

This module builds on Law20390 to examine in detail the catalogue of criminal offences and the general defences which may apply in respect of those offences. It covers the substantive crimes of homicide, sexual offences, offences against the person, offences against property and offences of dishonesty. It then turns to consider possible exemptions from liability in relation to matters such as provocation, necessity, legitimate defence, insanity, diminished responsibility, mistake, duress and other factors which may either justify an action or mitigate liability.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this module students will be able to:

1. Describe the substantive criminal law in relation to specific offences and defences;
2. Discuss the considerations of principle and policy which have shaped the development of these offences and defences; and
3. Analyse factual situations to assess what criminal charges may appropriately be brought and what defences may be available in respect of such charges.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

4
Autonomous Student Learning

90
Total

118
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The course will have 2-hour lectures
Reading lists and tutorial sheets will be posted up on Brightspace during the course 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Co-requisite:
LAW20390 - Criminal Liability

Incompatibles:
LAW20180 - Criminal Law, LAW41900 - Advanced Criminal Law 2


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: End of trimester assignment, maximum 3,000 words. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

100

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Group/class feedback will be provided