"[This book analyzes] the defences to criminal prosecutions both at common law and under statute in all jurisdictions of Australia. The various defences are described...together with the circumstances under which they can be raised and how several defences can be combined. The inter-relationship of the defences is also fully explored, with an eye to jurisdictional differences. It also includes additional analysis of Infanticide and Infancy as well as touching upon the Commonwealth Criminal Code."--

Opens with a consideration of the social, economic and historical context of criminal law before examining the principles that form the basis of criminal law in Australia. Case studies of important decisions influencing the development of the law are included and interesting issues are highlighted.

Criminal law has struggled to keep pace with developments in psychiatry, both in substantive and procedural terms, and it is widely recognised that increased inter-disciplinary discussion of mental condition defences is required in order to address this gap between the law and psychiatry. This edited collection comes at a time of review of this sensitive area of criminal law. The Law Commission for England and Wales recently placed its evaluation of insanity, automatism and intoxication on hold, while it considers the law on unfitness to plead. These reviews are set against the backdrop of earlier Law Commission reports on partial defences to murder which informed significant changes that were made to the law in this area under sections 52–56 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. Recent developments in case law in this substantive area illustrate not only the importance of the role of the medical expert, but also that reform in this area is informed by ongoing inter-disciplinary research. This collection brings together medical and legal conceptions of mental disorder in order to appraise the operation of mental condition defences. In this respect, it provides invaluable and original insights into mental condition defences and criminal law.

The law relating to general defences is one of the most important areas in the criminal law, yet the current state of the law in the United Kingdom reveals significant problems in the adoption of a consistent approach to their doctrinal and theoretical underpinnings, as exemplified by a number of recent developments in legislation and case law. A coherent and joined-up approach is still missing. This volume provides an analysis of the main contentious areas in British law, and proposes ways forward for reform. The collection includes contributions from leading experts across various jurisdictions. Part I examines the law in the United Kingdom, with specialist contributions on Irish and Scottish law. Part II consists of contributions by authors from a number of foreign jurisdictions, all written to a common research grid for maximum comparability, which provide a wider background of how other legal systems treat problems relating to general defences in the context of the criminal law, and which may serve as points of reference for domestic law reform.

Aims to present a unified picture of the core aspects of Australian criminal law.

A student-focused, approachable textbook designed as a complete course companion for all stages and levels of study. The inclusion of summaries, revision questions and problem questions make it highly useful for students approaching subject for the first time students preparing for exams.

Indictable Offences in Victoria 5th Edition, is an invaluable resource for legal practitioners and police, assisting those who have responsibility for charging defendants and for prosecuting and defending them in the Victoria's criminal justice system. The work comprehensively and clearly sets out all matters relevant to the prosecution of indictable offences in Victoria utilising a succinct alphabetical catalogue of all indictable offences. Expert commentary by eminent barrister and academic, Dr Ian Freckelton SC, is accompanied by the text of the relevant legislative provisions. The fifth edition is revised to incorporate new offences from the Crimes Act 1958. It also deals with offences under a range of other legislation including the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, the Infertility Treatment Act 1995, the Environmental Protection Act 1970 and the Marine Act 1988. References to textbooks, looseleaf services, articles and caselaw are all significantly updated to ensure Indictable Offences in Victoria continues to provide an excellent practical guide to criminal justice in Victoria, while ensuring the work is also accessible to students of law and legal studies. Indictable Offences in Victoria 5th Edition is an essential resource for anyone practicing, enforcing or studying criminal law in Victoria.

The law relating to general defences is one of the most important areas in the criminal law, yet the current state of the law in the United Kingdom reveals significant problems in the adoption of a consistent approach to their doctrinal and theoretical underpinnings, as exemplified by a number of recent developments in legislation and case law. A coherent and joined-up approach is still missing. This volume provides an analysis of the main contentious areas in British law, and proposes ways forward for reform.

This publication is a practical guide to the law on mental health issues that arise within the criminal justice framework in New South Wales. It offers comprehensive coverage and clear explanations of all of the important topics in this field and is an ideal resource for lawyers, mental health professionals, correctional health personnel, and anyone else engaged in the fields of criminal law and forensic mental health, or students with an interest in pursuing studies or a career in these areas. All chapters have been fully revised, updated and, in many cases, significantly expanded. The operation of the Mental Health Act 2007 and the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990 is dealt with in detail. New to this edition are the chapters on the management of forensic and correctional patients, infanticide, and a comprehensive chapter on the assessment and management of risk, including a section on the Crimes (Serious Sex Offenders) Act 2006.