Criminal Law is aimed at students studying on an LLB or law conversion (MA/GDL) course. Written in plain English, it provides readers with a detailed understanding of the theoretical and substantive aspects of the law of crime, whilst maintaining a practice-based approach.

The book provides a sound base level of knowledge of the substantive law. It adds to this knowledge to ensure that students are able to apply the substantive law using a variety of skills in different contexts. The text then shows students how to engage with the subject and critically evaluate and consider the implications of the law in any given scenario. It is essential that students understand the dynamism of criminal law and ask the difficult questions that have been, and remain to be, pondered by academics. As such, the book also considers the social, economic and political context.

New for this edition

• ‘spotlight on SQE’ text boxes – to show which parts of the text are assessable on the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)


• pinpoint references (ie page or paragraph number) for quoted judgments


• coverage of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021


• recent cases on the following topics: intervening acts (Rebelo; Field); aiding and abetting (Gardner; Grant); attempts (MS); encouraging or assisting (Scott); insanity (Keal); gross negligence manslaughter (Broughton; Rebelo); wounding (Paterson); sexual assault (Abdulahi)