University of Essex

LW104-5-FY-CO:
Criminal Law

The details

Year: 2023/24

Department: Essex Law School

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Full Year

Level: Undergraduate: Level 5

Status: Current

Start date: Thursday 05 October 2023

End date: Friday 28 June 2024

Credits: 30

Last updated: 17 October 2023

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

LLB M122 English and French Law (Maitrise),
LLB M100TS Law,
LLB M103 Law (Senior Status)

Module description

This module, which is taught across the academic year, introduces students to the substantive criminal law of England and Wales. This will involve a study of the law governing criminal liability.

Module aims

The module aims to introduce and develop understanding of Criminal Law

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module students at level 5 should be able to demonstrate the following:

1. Knowledge and understanding of the legal elements of criminal liability and the major criminal offences and defences
2. An understanding of the criminal law in its wider social, political, and philosophical context
3. An ability to read, understand, and analyse judicial decisions
4. An ability to break down a criminal law statute to its component parts and to interpret the statute
5. An ability to analyse and answer factual problems raising issues of criminal liability, and, in particular, to be able to do the following:
a) Identify the legal issue(s) arising
b) Identify and explain the relevant law
6. Engage in legal reasoning and problem-solving by applying the law, using relevant statutes and case-law, to the factual scenario
7. Appreciate the importance of facts and how they can affect legal analysis
8. An ability to evaluate the criminal law and to present a coherent oral and written argument on that basis

Module information

Indicative Syllabus:

1. An Introduction to Criminal Law:
-Preliminary matters: Classification, Procedure, the Courts, Sentencing, and Appeals
-Criminal Law Theory
2. The Elements of Crime: Actus Reus
3. The Elements of Crime: Mens Rea
Intention, Recklessness, Negligence
4. Offences Against the Person: Assault & Consent as a defence to Offences Against the Person
5. Homicide
Murder, Voluntary Manslaughter: Loss of Control & Diminished Responsibility, Involuntary Manslaughter: Constructive Manslaughter, Gross Negligence Manslaughter, Reckless Manslaughter
6. Non-Consensual Sexual Offences: Rape, Sexual Assault,
7. Property Offences (Theft)
8. Defences: Incapacity, Infancy, Insanity, Automatism, Mistake, Intoxication
9. Defences: Other General Defences
Duress, Duress of Circumstances, Necessity, Public/Private Defence
10. Inchoate Crimes: Attempt
11. Parties to Crime

Learning and teaching methods

Weekly lectures and bi-weekly tutorials

Bibliography

Trouble with accessing resources? (no date). Available at: https://essex.libwizard.com/id/0ca0192f0d51b4c22469d6030fd1306f.
John Child and David Ormerod (2023a) Smith, Hogan and Ormerod’s Essentials of Criminal Law. Oxford University Press. Available at: https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.1093/he/9780198873099.001.0001.
Dyson, M. (ed.) (2023) Blackstone’s statutes on criminal law. 33rd edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/2414597.
Law Trove - Expand your learning, broaden your mind (no date). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://www-oxfordlawtrove-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/.
Ormerod, D. and Laird, K. (2021) Smith, Hogan, and Ormerod’s Criminal Law. 16th edn. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/he/9780198849704.001.0001.
Simester, A.P. et al. (2019) Simester and Sullivan’s Criminal Law. 7th edn. Oxford, UK: Hart Publishing. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/1031062.
Herring, J. (2022) Criminal law: text, cases, and materials. Tenth edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://www-oxfordlawtrove-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/display/10.1093/he/9780192855923.001.0001/he-9780192855923.
Wilson, W. (2017) Criminal Law. 6th edn. Harlow, UK: Pearson. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=5186391.
Loveless, J., Allen, M. and Derry, C. (2022b) Complete criminal law: text, cases, and materials. Eighth edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/he/9780192855947.001.0001.
Herring, J. (2020) Criminal Law Concentrate: Law Revision and Study Guide. 7th edn. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://www-oxfordlawtrove-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/display/10.1093/he/9780192865649.001.0001/he-9780192865649.
John Child and David Ormerod (2023h) Smith, Hogan and Ormerod’s Essentials of Criminal Law. Oxford University Press. Available at: https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.1093/he/9780198873099.001.0001.
Ormerod, D., Laird, K. and Smith, J.C. (2021b) Smith, Hogan, and Ormerod’s criminal law. Sixteenth edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://essex.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/action/uresolver.do?operation=resolveService&package_service_id=4484008220007346&institutionId=7346&customerId=7345.
R v Woollin [1999] AC 82 (no date). Available at: https://uk.westlaw.com/Document/I82255A00CCAB11E886A1D405F08DEFAD/View/FullText.html.
Kaveny, M.C. (2004b) ‘Inferring Intention from Foresight’, Law Quarterly Review, 120, pp. 81–107. Available at: https://signon.thomsonreuters.com/federation/UKF?entityID=https%3A%2F%2Fidp0.essex.ac.uk%2Fshibboleth&returnto=https%3A%2F%2Fuk.westlaw.com%2FDocument%2FI6EC54D70E71311DA915EF37CAC72F838%2FView%2FFullText.html.
Norrie, A.W. (1999b) ‘After Woollin’, Criminal Law Review, pp. 532–544. Available at: https://signon.thomsonreuters.com/federation/UKF?entityID=https%3A%2F%2Fidp0.essex.ac.uk%2Fshibboleth&returnto=https%3A%2F%2Fuk.westlaw.com%2FDocument%2FI9D6F0FE0E71211DA915EF37CAC72F838%2FView%2FFullText.html.
Child, J., Ormerod, D. and Smith, J.C. (2023d) Smith, Hogan, and Ormerod’s essentials of criminal law. 5th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/he/9780198873099.001.0001.
John Child and David Ormerod (2023d) Smith, Hogan and Ormerod’s Essentials of Criminal Law. Oxford University Press. Available at: https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.1093/he/9780198873099.001.0001.
R v Woollin (1998) House of Lords | July 22, 1998 | 1998 WL 1042087. Available at: https://uk.westlaw.com/Document/I82255A00CCAB11E886A1D405F08DEFAD/View/FullText.html?skipAnonymous=true.
R v Cunningham (no date). Available at: https://justis.vlex.com/#vid/793681693.
Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (no date). Statute Law Database. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2009/25/contents.
Homicide Act 1957 (no date). Statute Law Database. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/5-6/11/section/2.
R. v Dawes (Carlos)R. v Hatter (Mark John)R. v Bowyer (Barry Francis) (2013) Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) | March 26, 2013 | 2013 WL 617822. Available at: https://uk.westlaw.com/Document/I988EB5A0966C11E2BDC0A072B0A6D4F8/View/FullText.html?skipAnonymous=true.
Regina v Darren Jewell (2014) Court of Appeal Criminal Division | February 19, 2014 | 2014 WL 917249. Available at: https://uk.westlaw.com/Document/IF0B4FCD0AB6011E3BDE6B7F259DB57C9/View/FullText.html?skipAnonymous=true.
‘R. v Rejmanski (Bartosz)’ (2017) Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) | December 19, 2017 | 2017 WL 06452389 [Preprint]. Available at: https://uk.westlaw.com/Document/I62E652B0E4B311E78D62988F09FE47B5/View/FullText.html?skipAnonymous=true.
Thomas, M. (2021) ‘Loss of Self-Control: A Reminder of the Particularly High Threshold: R v Dawson [2021] EWCA Crim 40’, The Journal of Criminal Law, 85(2). Available at: http://doi.org/10.1177/0022018321996085.
Golds [2016] UKSC 55 (no date). Available at: https://uk.westlaw.com/Document/IDDAF3B30B6EA11E6A746AF0AAA86F05A/View/FullText.html.
‘C Withey, “Loss of Control, Loss of Opportunity?” (2011) 4 Criminal Law Review 268’ (no date). Available at: https://signon.thomsonreuters.com/federation/UKF?entityID=https%3A%2F%2Fidp0.essex.ac.uk%2Fshibboleth&returnto=https%3A%2F%2Fuk.westlaw.com%2FDocument%2FIC7BAD1D04C5711E0BA44AAE16F4FBAD9%2FView%2FFullText.html.
‘R Mackay, “The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 – partial defences to murder (2) the new diminished responsibility plea” (2010) 3 Criminal Law Review 290’ (no date). Available at: https://signon.thomsonreuters.com/federation/UKF?entityID=https%3A%2F%2Fidp0.essex.ac.uk%2Fshibboleth&returnto=https%3A%2F%2Fuk.westlaw.com%2FDocument%2FICB3D89402B2B11DF861D9373D3210C2B%2FView%2FFullText.html.
Regina v Carol Dawson, Scott James Dawson (2021) Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) | January 21, 2021 | 2021 WL 00201090. Available at: https://uk.westlaw.com/Document/I5778F1205BEE11EB9577D3BDC050BA74/View/FullText.html?skipAnonymous=true.
Finch, E. and Fafinski, S. (2023a) Legal skills. Ninth edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/he/9780192873088.001.0001.
Finch, E. and Fafinski, S. (2023c) Legal skills. Ninth edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/2392721.
M. Cathleen Kaveny (no date) ‘Inferring Intention from Foresight’, Law Quarterly Review [Preprint]. Available at: https://uk.westlaw.com/Document/I6EC54D70E71311DA915EF37CAC72F838/View/FullText.html?skipAnonymous=true.
Alan W. Norrie (no date) After Woollin, Criminal Law Review. Available at: https://uk.westlaw.com/Document/I9D6F0FE0E71211DA915EF37CAC72F838/View/FullText.html?skipAnonymous=true.
Horder, J. and Ashworth, A. (2022) Ashworth’s principles of criminal law. Tenth edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at: https://essex.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/action/uresolver.do?operation=resolveService&package_service_id=4483820870007346&institutionId=7346&customerId=7345.
Carol Withey (no date) ‘Loss of control, loss of opportunity?’, Criminal Law Review [Preprint]. Available at: https://uk.westlaw.com/Document/IC7BAD1D04C5711E0BA44AAE16F4FBAD9/View/FullText.html?skipAnonymous=true.
Offences against the Person Act 1861 (no date). Statute Law Database. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/24-25/100/contents.
Criminal Justice Act 1988 (no date). Statute Law Database. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/33/section/39.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Coursework weighting
Coursework	Formative Essay (LW104 Criminal Law)	0%
Coursework	Multiple Choice Quizzes - Continuous Assessment (LW104 Criminal Law)	50%
Coursework	Essay (LW104 Criminal Law)	50%
Exam	Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 180 minutes during Summer (Main Period)
Exam	Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 180 minutes during September (Reassessment Period)

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
40%	60%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
0%	100%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Dr Ebba Lekvall, email: ebba.lekvall@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff:

Contact details: Law Education Office, lawschoolug@essex.ac.uk

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: Yes

Available to Outside Option: No

Available to Audit: No

External examiner

Name: Dr Steven Cammiss

Institution: University of Birmingham

Academic role: Associate Professor

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: Of 55 hours, 36 (65.5%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
19 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

Further information

Department website: Essex Law School

Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Module Directory

LW104-5-FY-CO:Criminal Law