This book focuses on substantive criminal law, that is, how offences such as theft and murder are defined. This introductory chapter sets in context criminal offences and defences, first by considering the basis upon which certain conduct is criminalised and other conduct is not. In continuing to set the context, the chapter goes on to consider criminal justice and criminology, criminal evidence, criminal process (including the court structure and central actors), sentencing, civil law protections, and so on. Narrowing to our focus on substantive criminal law—how offences and defences are defined—the chapter moves on to discuss the sources of criminal law, the internal structure of offences and defences, principles of the substantive criminal law, and the subjects to which it applies. Finally, the chapter introduces features on reform and legal application.
Chapter
1. Introduction
David Ormerod and John Child
Chapter
10. Fraud
David Ormerod and John Child
This chapter deals with fraud, an offence under section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006 (FA 2006). It first discusses the central fraud offence, which can be committed by false representation, failure to disclose information, and/or abuse of position. The chapter then moves to consider related offences of obtaining services dishonestly and possession of articles for use in frauds, along with other fraud and deception offences. Finally, the chapter outlines potential options for legal reform concerning the drafting of FA 2006, fraud and the irrelevance of results, and distinguishing theft and fraud; as well as the potential application of fraud offences within a problem question. Relevant cases are highlighted throughout, with brief summaries of the main facts and judgments.
Chapter
2. Actus reus
David Ormerod and John Child
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 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 judgments.
Chapter
25. Possessory security
D Fox, RJC Munday, B Soyer, AM Tettenborn, and PG Turner
This chapter deals with possessory security. It begins with a discussion of a pledge (which normally secures repayment of a debt but, in principle, there is no reason why it should not secure performance by the pledgor of some other obligation), before considering the concepts of delivery and re-delivery of possession. It also examines re-pledge by the pledgee, realisation, and statutory control before turning to liens. In particular, it explains how a lien arises and how it is enforced, terminated, and registered. Finally, it looks at the proposed legal reform with respect to possessory security.
