p. 392. Actus reus
- John ChildJohn ChildReader in Criminal Law, Birmingham Law School, Co-Director of the Birmingham Centre for Crime, Justice and Policing, Co-Director of the Criminal Law Reform Now Network
- and David OrmerodDavid OrmerodProfessor of Criminal Justice, University College London, Deputy High Court Judge, Barrister, Bencher of Middle Temple, Door Tenant at Red Lion Chambers
Abstract
This chapter provides an overview of actus reus, which refers to the ‘external elements’ of an offence. These external elements do not simply relate to D’s conduct. Rather, as we will see, the actus reus of an offence includes any offence elements outside of the fault element (‘mens rea’) of the offence. Before discussing the elements that form the actus reus, this chapter considers the distinction between actus reus and mens rea. It then describes the three elements of actus reus: conduct, circumstances, and results. It also explains the categories of actus reus offences, omissions liability, and causation before concluding with sections that outline potential options for legal reform and a structure for analysing the actus reus of an offence when applying the law in a problem-type question. Relevant cases are highlighted throughout the chapter, with a brief summary of the main facts and judgment.
