| Unit name | Criminal Law |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LAWD10014 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Quick |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | University of Bristol Law School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit introduces students to the basic principles of substantive English criminal law. Topics include: the elements of offences; homicide; non-fatal offences; accomplices and attempts; defences; property offences.
By the end of the unit, a successful student will be able to:
a) when presented with a set of facts:
i) identify the criminal law issues arising from those facts;
ii) cite relevant case law and statutory authority;
iii) explain how that authority applies to the issues raised by the facts, or how the facts may be distinguished;
iv) draw a reasoned conclusion as to how those issues may be resolved.
b) when presented with a proposition on an aspect of criminal law:
i) present arguments for and against the proposition, citing relevant authorities and the views of other writers, and assessing the weight of their arguments;
ii) cite judicial and statutory authorities which support or rebut the proposition;
iii) examine any relevant reform proposals;
iv) draw a reasoned conclusion as to whether you agree or disagree with the proposition.
Students should be able to state the law accurately, to apply legal principles to problem case scenarios, and to think critically about ways in which the law could be reformed.
The examination includes both problem type and essay type questions, designed to assess both whether students were able to understand and apply the law across the breadth of the syllabus, and whether they were able to think critically about it.
27 x 50 minute lectures and 9 x 50 minute tutorials.
One three-hour examination in May/June, in which students answer 4 questions (at least one essay and at least one problem) from a choice of 8 questions. Students may take unannotated statutes into the examination. In terms of formative assessment, there is a 90 minute examination in January, to prepare students for the summative assessment.
• J. Herring, Criminal Law: Text, Cases and Materials (OUP: 2012) • A Ashworth and J Horder, Principles of Criminal Law (7th edition 2013, Oxford University Press) • C M V Clarkson and H M Keating Criminal Law: Texts and Materials (7th edition 2010, Sweet and Maxwell) • N Lacey, C Wells & O Quick Reconstructing Criminal Law: Text and Materials (4th edition 2010, Cambridge University Press) • Blackstone's Statutes on Criminal Law 2013-2014 ed., Peter Glazebrook (OUP)
