Module 5
Criminal law: conduct and fault, homicide, offences against the person and property, defences and participation
Criminal law decides when the state may punish. In England and Wales it is a mixture: the oldest offences, murder and manslaughter, are still defined by the common law, while theft, fraud, most assaults and the general rules on attempts are in statutes. Whatever the offence, the analysis follows the same shape. The prosecution must prove, beyond reasonable doubt, the **conduct** element (the *actus reus*), the **fault** element (the *mens rea*) and that no **defence** applies. This module builds that shape, then applies it to the offences that every lawyer meets: homicide, assault, theft and fraud.
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See what is included in the Courses & AI Lab Pass →General education on the law of England and Wales, using invented people and businesses. It states statutes and landmark decisions in simplified form, and it is not legal advice. The law changes and every case turns on its facts. Consult a qualified solicitor or barrister for any real matter.
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