Includes bibliographical references (pages 829-854) and index.

Criminal law : definition and ambit -- The rule of law and the European convention -- Interpretation and proof -- The actus reus -- Mens rea -- Strict and constructive liability -- Secondary participation -- Vicarious and corporate liability -- The inchoate offences -- Homicide -- Non-fatal offences against the person -- The prinicipal sexual offences -- Theft -- Related offences -- Fraud -- The moral limits of criminalisation -- Defences : an overview -- Failure of proof : mistake and intoxication -- Mental condition defences -- Defences of circumstantial pressure -- Permissible conduct -- Defences and blame : some observations.