Criminal Law Podcasts: A2 Scope
Table of Contents
Theme 1: Introduction .................................................................................................... 4
Principle of Legality: ................................................................................................... 4
Podcast: Principle of legality: Definition of a crime 1 .................................................... 4
Podcast: Principle of legality: Definition of a crime 2 .................................................... 5
Theme 2: Conduct .......................................................................................................... 8
Human and voluntary conduct: ................................................................................... 8
Human conduct podcast ........................................................................................... 8
Voluntary conduct podcast........................................................................................ 9
Antecedent liability podcast ..................................................................................... 11
Liability for an omission: ............................................................................................ 13
Liability for an omission 1 podcast ............................................................................ 13
Liability for an omission 2 podcast ............................................................................ 14
Theme 3: Causation ...................................................................................................... 17
Intro to causation: ..................................................................................................... 17
Podcast: Causation introduction (consequence v circumstance crimes) ...................... 17
Factual causation: ..................................................................................................... 19
Podcast: Factual causation (conditio sine qua non) .................................................... 19
Legal causation: ........................................................................................................ 21
Podcast: Intro to legal causation ............................................................................... 21
Podcast: Legal causation tests explained................................................................... 22
Podcast: Legal causation tests applied to S v Daniëls ................................................. 23
Podcast: Tricky issues related to legal causation ........................................................ 25
Theme 4: Unlawfulness ................................................................................................. 28
Intro to unlawfulness: ................................................................................................ 28
Unlawfulness intro ................................................................................................... 28
Private defense: ......................................................................................................... 30
Intro to private defense............................................................................................. 30
Attack requirements explained 1: Unlawful ................................................................ 31
Attack requirements explained 2: Legally recognized interest ...................................... 33
Attack requirements explained 3: Timing of attack ...................................................... 35
Defensive conduct requirements explained 1: Necessary ........................................... 36
Defensive conduct requirements explained 2: Reasonable v proportional .................... 38
Defensive conduct requirements explained 3: Reasonableness with case law .............. 40
Defensive conduct requirements explained 4: Aimed at attacker, plus concluding
remarks .................................................................................................................. 41
Necessity: ................................................................................................................. 44
1
,Criminal Law Podcasts: A2 Scope
Necessity requirements explained 1 .......................................................................... 44
Necessity requirements explained 2 .......................................................................... 45
Necessity requirements explained 3 .......................................................................... 47
Consent:.................................................................................................................... 49
Intro to consent ....................................................................................................... 49
Consent requirements explained: Recognised by law ................................................. 50
Consent requirements explained: Recognised by law assault details ........................... 52
Consent requirements explained: Real consent ......................................................... 54
Consent requirements explained: Capable in law of consenting .................................. 56
Theme 5: Criminal Capacity .......................................................................................... 58
Introduction criminal capacity: .................................................................................. 58
Criminal capacity intro ............................................................................................. 58
Test for criminal capacity .......................................................................................... 59
Factors leading to criminal incapacity ....................................................................... 60
Mental illness: ........................................................................................................... 62
Mental illness intro................................................................................................... 62
Mental illness biological leg ...................................................................................... 63
Mental illness psychological leg ................................................................................ 64
Intoxication: .............................................................................................................. 66
Intoxication: Policy considerations v legal principle .................................................... 66
Intoxication defences 1 ............................................................................................ 67
Intoxication defences 2 ............................................................................................ 68
Problems with the crime of statutory intoxication 1..................................................... 70
Problems with the crime of statutory intoxication 2 - old podcast................................. 71
Intoxication latest developments .............................................................................. 73
Provocation / Emotional stress: ................................................................................. 75
Provocation/Emotional stress: introduction ............................................................... 75
Provocation/Emotional stress defences ..................................................................... 76
Eadie discussion 1 ................................................................................................... 78
Eadie discussion 2 ................................................................................................... 80
Theme 6: Fault............................................................................................................... 82
Introducing fault: ....................................................................................................... 82
Fault intro ............................................................................................................... 82
Intent requirements ................................................................................................. 83
Forms of intent - dolus directus, indirectus, eventualis .............................................. 85
Forms of intent - dolus determinatus v indeterminatus............................................... 86
Negigence intro ....................................................................................................... 88
Intent v motive ......................................................................................................... 89
Dolus eventualis: ....................................................................................................... 92
Dolus eventualis intro & the foresee possibility requirement ........................................ 92
2
,Criminal Law Podcasts: A2 Scope
Mistake in causal chain 1 .......................................................................................... 93
Mistake in causal chain 2 .......................................................................................... 94
Dolus eventualis reconcile requirement .................................................................... 96
Dolus eventualis v Luxuria ........................................................................................ 98
Negligence: ............................................................................................................. 100
Negligence detailed intro ........................................................................................ 100
Test for negligence ................................................................................................. 101
Test for negligence: Objective or subjective? ............................................................ 103
Negligence and intent overlap? ............................................................................... 105
Defenses excluding intent:....................................................................................... 107
Ignorance/Mistake: Genuine and essential .............................................................. 107
Ignorance/Mistake: Essential v non-material ............................................................ 108
Ignorance of the law 1 ............................................................................................ 110
Ignorance of the law 2 ............................................................................................ 111
Putative grounds of justification .............................................................................. 113
Theme 7: Incomplete crimes ....................................................................................... 115
Incomplete crimes introduction: ............................................................................. 115
Incomplete crimes introduction .............................................................................. 115
Attempt: .................................................................................................................. 117
Completed attempt ............................................................................................... 117
Uncompleted attempt 1 ......................................................................................... 118
Uncompleted attempt 2 ......................................................................................... 120
Withdrawal from attempt........................................................................................ 122
Factual attempt to commit the impossible 1 ............................................................ 123
Factual attempt to commit the impossible 2 ............................................................ 125
Legal attempt to commit the impossible .................................................................. 126
Practical examples: Mistake and attempt to commit the impossible .......................... 128
Incitement: .............................................................................................................. 130
Incitement ............................................................................................................ 130
Conspiracy: ............................................................................................................. 132
Conspiracy ............................................................................................................ 132
Relationship between the incomplete crimes: ......................................................... 134
Relationship between attempt, incitement and conspiracy ....................................... 134
3
, Criminal Law Podcasts: A2 Scope
Theme 1: Introduction
Principle of Legality:
Podcast: Principle of legality: Definition of a crime 1
Introduction
• The principle of legality is crucial in criminal law, particularly in the context of
criminalization.
• Criminalization refers to the legislative decision to prohibit certain conduct as a crime.
• The principle of legality includes several rules: ius acceptum, ius privium, ius cartum,
ius strictum, and nulla poina sine lege.
Principle of Legality Rules
1. Ius Acceptum:
o Courts cannot declare conduct as criminal; only the legislature has this
authority.
o Judicial lawmaking is inherently uncertain and retrospective, infringing jus
cartum and jus privium.
o Parliament (the legislature) is the only body that can criminalize conduct.
2. Ius Privium:
o Relates to the certainty and clarity in defining criminal conduct.
o Ensures individuals are aware of what constitutes criminal behavior to avoid
retrospective criminalization.
3. Ius Cartum:
o Emphasizes the written nature of laws and the need for laws to be publicly
accessible and clear.
4. Ius Strictum:
o Laws must be strictly interpreted; no broad or analogical interpretations are
allowed.
5. Nulla Poena Sine Lege:
o No punishment without law; punishment must be based on pre-existing laws.
Components of Crime Definition
• A crime definition must comply with jus acceptum and include three components:
1. Definition of the Proscription (Legal Norm):
▪ Indicates prohibited conduct.
▪ Must provide clear, advance warning to citizens (principle of fair
warning).
▪ Example: "No one may dispose of batteries anywhere other than at a
designated collection point."
2. Criminalization Clause (Criminal Norm):
▪ Specifies that prohibited conduct is a crime.
▪ Essential for nulla crimine sine lege (no crime without law).
▪ Example: "Disposal of batteries at a place other than a designated
collection point is a crime."
3. Penalty Clause (Criminal Sanction):
4
Table of Contents
Theme 1: Introduction .................................................................................................... 4
Principle of Legality: ................................................................................................... 4
Podcast: Principle of legality: Definition of a crime 1 .................................................... 4
Podcast: Principle of legality: Definition of a crime 2 .................................................... 5
Theme 2: Conduct .......................................................................................................... 8
Human and voluntary conduct: ................................................................................... 8
Human conduct podcast ........................................................................................... 8
Voluntary conduct podcast........................................................................................ 9
Antecedent liability podcast ..................................................................................... 11
Liability for an omission: ............................................................................................ 13
Liability for an omission 1 podcast ............................................................................ 13
Liability for an omission 2 podcast ............................................................................ 14
Theme 3: Causation ...................................................................................................... 17
Intro to causation: ..................................................................................................... 17
Podcast: Causation introduction (consequence v circumstance crimes) ...................... 17
Factual causation: ..................................................................................................... 19
Podcast: Factual causation (conditio sine qua non) .................................................... 19
Legal causation: ........................................................................................................ 21
Podcast: Intro to legal causation ............................................................................... 21
Podcast: Legal causation tests explained................................................................... 22
Podcast: Legal causation tests applied to S v Daniëls ................................................. 23
Podcast: Tricky issues related to legal causation ........................................................ 25
Theme 4: Unlawfulness ................................................................................................. 28
Intro to unlawfulness: ................................................................................................ 28
Unlawfulness intro ................................................................................................... 28
Private defense: ......................................................................................................... 30
Intro to private defense............................................................................................. 30
Attack requirements explained 1: Unlawful ................................................................ 31
Attack requirements explained 2: Legally recognized interest ...................................... 33
Attack requirements explained 3: Timing of attack ...................................................... 35
Defensive conduct requirements explained 1: Necessary ........................................... 36
Defensive conduct requirements explained 2: Reasonable v proportional .................... 38
Defensive conduct requirements explained 3: Reasonableness with case law .............. 40
Defensive conduct requirements explained 4: Aimed at attacker, plus concluding
remarks .................................................................................................................. 41
Necessity: ................................................................................................................. 44
1
,Criminal Law Podcasts: A2 Scope
Necessity requirements explained 1 .......................................................................... 44
Necessity requirements explained 2 .......................................................................... 45
Necessity requirements explained 3 .......................................................................... 47
Consent:.................................................................................................................... 49
Intro to consent ....................................................................................................... 49
Consent requirements explained: Recognised by law ................................................. 50
Consent requirements explained: Recognised by law assault details ........................... 52
Consent requirements explained: Real consent ......................................................... 54
Consent requirements explained: Capable in law of consenting .................................. 56
Theme 5: Criminal Capacity .......................................................................................... 58
Introduction criminal capacity: .................................................................................. 58
Criminal capacity intro ............................................................................................. 58
Test for criminal capacity .......................................................................................... 59
Factors leading to criminal incapacity ....................................................................... 60
Mental illness: ........................................................................................................... 62
Mental illness intro................................................................................................... 62
Mental illness biological leg ...................................................................................... 63
Mental illness psychological leg ................................................................................ 64
Intoxication: .............................................................................................................. 66
Intoxication: Policy considerations v legal principle .................................................... 66
Intoxication defences 1 ............................................................................................ 67
Intoxication defences 2 ............................................................................................ 68
Problems with the crime of statutory intoxication 1..................................................... 70
Problems with the crime of statutory intoxication 2 - old podcast................................. 71
Intoxication latest developments .............................................................................. 73
Provocation / Emotional stress: ................................................................................. 75
Provocation/Emotional stress: introduction ............................................................... 75
Provocation/Emotional stress defences ..................................................................... 76
Eadie discussion 1 ................................................................................................... 78
Eadie discussion 2 ................................................................................................... 80
Theme 6: Fault............................................................................................................... 82
Introducing fault: ....................................................................................................... 82
Fault intro ............................................................................................................... 82
Intent requirements ................................................................................................. 83
Forms of intent - dolus directus, indirectus, eventualis .............................................. 85
Forms of intent - dolus determinatus v indeterminatus............................................... 86
Negigence intro ....................................................................................................... 88
Intent v motive ......................................................................................................... 89
Dolus eventualis: ....................................................................................................... 92
Dolus eventualis intro & the foresee possibility requirement ........................................ 92
2
,Criminal Law Podcasts: A2 Scope
Mistake in causal chain 1 .......................................................................................... 93
Mistake in causal chain 2 .......................................................................................... 94
Dolus eventualis reconcile requirement .................................................................... 96
Dolus eventualis v Luxuria ........................................................................................ 98
Negligence: ............................................................................................................. 100
Negligence detailed intro ........................................................................................ 100
Test for negligence ................................................................................................. 101
Test for negligence: Objective or subjective? ............................................................ 103
Negligence and intent overlap? ............................................................................... 105
Defenses excluding intent:....................................................................................... 107
Ignorance/Mistake: Genuine and essential .............................................................. 107
Ignorance/Mistake: Essential v non-material ............................................................ 108
Ignorance of the law 1 ............................................................................................ 110
Ignorance of the law 2 ............................................................................................ 111
Putative grounds of justification .............................................................................. 113
Theme 7: Incomplete crimes ....................................................................................... 115
Incomplete crimes introduction: ............................................................................. 115
Incomplete crimes introduction .............................................................................. 115
Attempt: .................................................................................................................. 117
Completed attempt ............................................................................................... 117
Uncompleted attempt 1 ......................................................................................... 118
Uncompleted attempt 2 ......................................................................................... 120
Withdrawal from attempt........................................................................................ 122
Factual attempt to commit the impossible 1 ............................................................ 123
Factual attempt to commit the impossible 2 ............................................................ 125
Legal attempt to commit the impossible .................................................................. 126
Practical examples: Mistake and attempt to commit the impossible .......................... 128
Incitement: .............................................................................................................. 130
Incitement ............................................................................................................ 130
Conspiracy: ............................................................................................................. 132
Conspiracy ............................................................................................................ 132
Relationship between the incomplete crimes: ......................................................... 134
Relationship between attempt, incitement and conspiracy ....................................... 134
3
, Criminal Law Podcasts: A2 Scope
Theme 1: Introduction
Principle of Legality:
Podcast: Principle of legality: Definition of a crime 1
Introduction
• The principle of legality is crucial in criminal law, particularly in the context of
criminalization.
• Criminalization refers to the legislative decision to prohibit certain conduct as a crime.
• The principle of legality includes several rules: ius acceptum, ius privium, ius cartum,
ius strictum, and nulla poina sine lege.
Principle of Legality Rules
1. Ius Acceptum:
o Courts cannot declare conduct as criminal; only the legislature has this
authority.
o Judicial lawmaking is inherently uncertain and retrospective, infringing jus
cartum and jus privium.
o Parliament (the legislature) is the only body that can criminalize conduct.
2. Ius Privium:
o Relates to the certainty and clarity in defining criminal conduct.
o Ensures individuals are aware of what constitutes criminal behavior to avoid
retrospective criminalization.
3. Ius Cartum:
o Emphasizes the written nature of laws and the need for laws to be publicly
accessible and clear.
4. Ius Strictum:
o Laws must be strictly interpreted; no broad or analogical interpretations are
allowed.
5. Nulla Poena Sine Lege:
o No punishment without law; punishment must be based on pre-existing laws.
Components of Crime Definition
• A crime definition must comply with jus acceptum and include three components:
1. Definition of the Proscription (Legal Norm):
▪ Indicates prohibited conduct.
▪ Must provide clear, advance warning to citizens (principle of fair
warning).
▪ Example: "No one may dispose of batteries anywhere other than at a
designated collection point."
2. Criminalization Clause (Criminal Norm):
▪ Specifies that prohibited conduct is a crime.
▪ Essential for nulla crimine sine lege (no crime without law).
▪ Example: "Disposal of batteries at a place other than a designated
collection point is a crime."
3. Penalty Clause (Criminal Sanction):
4
