1. General character of English criminal law, including the burden of proof. Principles underpinning the criminal law. Relationship of statute and common law. Reform and codification.
2. The external and fault elements of crimes; strict liability; defences.
3. Complicity. Inchoate crimes. The liability of mentally disordered persons.
4. Homicide (including corporate manslaughter); the principal offences against the person; the principal sexual offences (ss 1-13, 61-63); the principal offences under the Theft Acts (theft, robbery, burglary, handling, making off without payment); offences of fraud; criminal damage.

A knowledge of the law of particular offences (other than those specified in (4) above, which will be listed on lecture outlines) is required only insofar as it is necessary to illustrate the application of the general principles of liability ((2) and (3) above).