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EnglandLegal Studies

Criminal Law (Component 1, Section B)

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 to establish criminal liability, and how do actus reus, mens rea and causation fit together?

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

What are the elements of murder, and how do the special defences of loss of control and diminished responsibility reduce it to voluntary manslaughter?

Murder (the actus reus and mens rea) and the two special and partial defences that reduce murder to voluntary manslaughter: loss of control and diminished responsibility under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.
An OCR 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 under the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, with key cases, worked scenario answers and the AO2 application the paper rewards.
17 min answer →

What general defences can a defendant raise, and when do insanity, automatism, intoxication, self-defence, consent and duress succeed?

The general defences: insanity and automatism, intoxication, self-defence and the prevention of crime, consent, and duress by threats and of circumstances.
An OCR A-Level Law guide to the general defences. Explains insanity, automatism, intoxication, self-defence, consent and duress, their elements and the leading cases, with worked scenario answers and the AO2 application the paper rewards.
17 min answer →

How can a person be guilty of manslaughter without intending death or serious harm, through an unlawful act or through gross negligence?

Involuntary manslaughter: unlawful act (constructive) manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter, their elements and leading cases.
An OCR A-Level Law guide to involuntary manslaughter. Explains unlawful act (constructive) manslaughter and gross negligence manslaughter, their elements and the leading cases including Adomako, with worked scenario answers and the AO2 application the paper rewards.
16 min answer →

What are the five non-fatal offences against the person, and how do their actus reus and mens rea escalate from assault to section 18 wounding?

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 OCR 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.
17 min answer →

What are the elements of theft and robbery, and how does the Theft Act 1968 define each part of the offence?

Property offences: theft (sections 1 to 6 of the Theft Act 1968) and robbery (section 8), their actus reus and mens rea and the leading cases.
An OCR A-Level Law guide to the property offences of theft and robbery. Explains the five elements of theft under sections 1 to 6 of the Theft Act 1968 and the offence of robbery under section 8, with the leading cases, worked scenario answers and the AO2 application the paper rewards.
16 min answer →