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LAW20400

Academic Year 2024/2025

Criminal Offences and Defences (LAW20400)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Niamh Howlin
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This 5-credit, 12-week module builds on the Criminal Liability module (LAW41910). It continues the focus on substantive criminal law.
On this module we will examine in detail the catalogue of criminal offences and the general defences which may apply in respect of those offences. Topics covered include non-fatal offences against the person, offences against property and sexual offences.
We then turn to consider possible exemptions from liability in relation to matters such as provocation, necessity, legitimate defence, insanity, diminished responsibility, mistake, duress, intoxication and other factors which may either justify an action or mitigate liability.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this module students should be able to:

Describe the substantive criminal law in relation to specific offences and defences;
Use legal databases and online resources to find relevant case law and legislation;
Read and analyse case law and legislation;
Discuss the considerations of principle and policy which have shaped the development of these offences and defences; and
Analyse factual situations to assess what criminal charges may appropriately be brought and what defences may be available in respect of such charges.

Indicative Module Content:

Topics covered include non-fatal offence against the person, sexual offences, offences against property, insanity, intoxication, duress and necessity, entrapment and automatism

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

4
Autonomous Student Learning

90
Total

118

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
There are weekly in-person lectures from 1.00 pm– 3.00 pm on Fridays in the Sutherland School of Law. There is also a cycle of four tutorials spread over the trimester.
All classes will be interactive in nature, and students will be expected to contribute to class discussions. Reading for each session will be set on a week-by-week basis.
There will be a strong emphasis on reading primary legal sources, and on applying these to factual scenarios.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Co-requisite:
LAW20390 - Criminal Liability

Incompatibles:
LAW20180 - Criminal Law, LAW41900 - Advanced Criminal Law 2


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Examination: End of trimester, closed book examination End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
100
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

On this module, feedback is available in several formats: Individual or group feedback on specific issues discussed in lectures Individual or group feedback on specific issues addressed in tutorial discussions Individual feedback during student office hours. Group feedback on the final exam

Name Role
Mr Michael Staines Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Patrick Flynn Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 13:00 - 14:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31 Tues 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 8 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30 Tues 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 9 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30 Wed 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 10 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31 Wed 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 11 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 12 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 13 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 14 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 15 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 16 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 20 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 21 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 22 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 23 Week(s) - 23, 25, 29, 31 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
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