Rules of Criminal Law

Question 1

Defining crime

Answer 1

Lord Atkin - ‘‘The act prohibited with penal consequences’’

Question 2

Criminal liability

Answer 2

Lord Coke:
- Actus Reus = guilty act
- Mens Rea = guilty mind

Question 3

Burden of proof

Answer 3

• D innocent until proven guilty

Question 4

Standard of proof

Answer 4

Evidence of guilt must be ‘beyond all reasonable doubt’