Course overview
This course equips students with a comprehensive understanding of criminal law and procedure, emphasising core concepts and their application to the rapidly evolving legal landscape. Students will explore principles of criminal responsibility and develop skills in classifying and analysing the elements of criminal offences, with a focus on how these concepts are adapting to the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging societal changes. They will examine specific criminal offences against the person and property, various defences, and aspects of criminal procedure that will prepare them for legal practice in this field of law. Students will also be required to demonstrate key legal skills, including legal drafting, advocacy and ethical decision-making, that are essential for thriving in criminal law practice.
In addition to meeting law professional accreditation requirements, this compulsory course will challenge students to think critically about the future of criminal law and procedure. By the end of the course, students will have gained not only a solid foundation in criminal law principles but also the adaptability, technological competence, and ethical reasoning skills necessary to thrive as legal professionals in a dynamic and evolving criminal justice system.
- Foundations of Criminal Law
- Criminal Offences
- Criminal Liability
Course learning outcomes
- Identify and explain the elements of a statutory criminal offence and any associated criminal defence.
- Identify criminal procedural rules and explain how they affect the progress of a criminal law matter through the court process.
- Identify criminal law issues arising in a problem scenario and apply relevant laws and procedural rules to assess and resolve allegations of criminal wrongdoing.
- Apply legal reasoning to construct and deliver effective and persuasive oral arguments on behalf of a hypothetical client in a mock court room setting.
- Apply legal reasoning to prepare written documents, such as research memoranda or letters of advice, that clearly and effectively communicates the law to the intended audience.
- Demonstrates behaviour consistent with the professional and ethical responsibilities of a legal practitioner.