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EnglandLegal Studies

Criminal Law (Components 2 and 3)

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What must the prosecution prove for any crime: the guilty act, the guilty mind, and the link between them?

The general elements of criminal liability: actus reus (conduct, omissions and causation), mens rea (intention and subjective recklessness), the coincidence of actus reus and mens rea, transferred malice and strict liability.
An Eduqas A-Level Law guide to the general elements of criminal liability. Explains actus reus, omissions and causation, mens rea (intention and recklessness), coincidence, transferred malice and strict liability, with worked scenario answers and the AO2 application the paper rewards.
18 min answer →

What is murder, and how do the partial defences reduce it to voluntary manslaughter?

Murder and voluntary manslaughter: the actus reus and mens rea of murder, and the partial defences of loss of control and diminished responsibility under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 that reduce murder to voluntary manslaughter.
An Eduqas A-Level Law guide to murder and voluntary manslaughter. Explains the actus reus and mens rea of murder and the partial defences of loss of control and diminished responsibility, with worked scenario answers and the AO2 application the paper rewards.
18 min answer →

Which general defences can reduce or remove criminal liability, and what must each one prove?

The general defences: insanity and automatism, intoxication (voluntary and involuntary), self-defence and the prevention of crime, consent, and duress by threats and of circumstances.
An Eduqas A-Level Law guide to the general defences. Explains insanity, automatism, intoxication, self-defence, consent and duress, and how they reduce or remove liability, with worked scenario answers and the AO2 application the paper rewards.
18 min answer →

How can a person be guilty of manslaughter without any intention to kill or cause serious harm?

Involuntary manslaughter: unlawful act (constructive) manslaughter (an unlawful and dangerous act causing death) and gross negligence manslaughter (a breach of a duty of care, causing death, that is grossly negligent under Adomako).
An Eduqas A-Level Law guide to involuntary manslaughter. Explains unlawful act (constructive) manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter under Adomako, with worked scenario answers and the AO2 application the paper rewards.
17 min answer →

What are the five non-fatal offences against the person, and how do their actus reus and mens rea escalate?

The non-fatal offences against the person: assault and battery (common law), assault occasioning actual bodily harm (s47), malicious wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm (s20), and wounding or causing grievous bodily harm with intent (s18) under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
An Eduqas A-Level Law guide to the non-fatal offences against the person. Explains assault, battery, s47, s20 and s18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, their actus reus and mens rea and the leading cases, with worked scenario answers and the AO2 application the paper rewards.
18 min answer →

What are the five elements of theft, and what turns theft into robbery?

Property offences: theft under the Theft Act 1968 (appropriation, property, belonging to another, dishonesty and intention permanently to deprive) and robbery under section 8 (theft with the use or threat of force in order to steal).
An Eduqas A-Level Law guide to the property offences of theft and robbery. Explains the five elements of theft under the Theft Act 1968 and the added force element of robbery, with worked scenario answers and the AO2 application the paper rewards.
17 min answer →