Criminal Law and Procedure tutoring
Structure your criminal answers.
Criminal Law and Procedure is built on elements. Each offence has physical and fault elements, and a strong answer establishes each on the facts. It rewards precision and a methodical structure. The same approach applies whether the question concerns the offence or a defence.
The subject, module by module
Study Criminal Law one module at a time
Each module has a one page guide, a decision flowchart and a drill bank with Pass and H1 model answers and examiner's comments. Work the modules in order or jump to the one your course is up to.
The physical and fault elements, causation and voluntary conductGuide · Flowchart · Drills (12)
Assault and the offences against the person, element by elementGuide · Flowchart · Drills (12)
Unlawful and dangerous act manslaughter, negligent manslaughter and omissionsGuide · Flowchart · Drills (22)
Appropriation, property belonging to another, dishonesty and intentionGuide · Flowchart · Drills (12)
The presumption of sanity, the defence and the automatism divideGuide · Flowchart · Drills (10)
The offences, consent under the Victorian reforms, and the fault elementsGuide · Flowchart and drills coming
The challenge
Where students get stuck
Marks are most often lost when guilt is asserted rather than each element established. The physical elements are conduct, circumstances and result, and the fault elements are intention, knowledge, recklessness and negligence. Causation, the standard of proof and the onus on a defence are recurring difficulties. Defences such as self defence, duress, mental impairment and intoxication each have their own elements and need to be argued separately. The procedure topics, including charge, bail, committal, trial and appeals, are often given too little attention.
How I help
We use a structured, element by element method. For each offence we state the rule and its source in the Crimes Act 1958 and the leading cases, and establish each physical and fault element on the facts. Each defence is then addressed as its own short analysis. We give particular attention to the fault analysis and the onus of proof, and practise past problems so issues are identified quickly. Procedure is covered as well, so the whole subject is prepared.
The method
One method, every problem
Four steps run every argument: name the issue, state the rule, apply it to the facts, conclude. Almost every legal rule shares a skeletal structure: it takes one of six shapes, and any of those shapes may carry a twist. Learn the six shapes and one twist →
Common questions
Criminal Law & Procedure tutoring FAQ
Do you cover the offences and the procedure?
Yes. The offences and defences, and criminal procedure. Charge, bail, committal, trial and appeals.
My answers are vague. Can you help?
Yes. We prove each element on the facts. That fixes the vagueness fast.
Can you help before the exam?
Yes. Focused sessions on issue spotting and structure. Book early.
Related subjects: Evidence & Proof, Constitutional Law, Torts. See all subjects, or read the publication on practice hypotheticals.
Get on top of Criminal Law and Procedure.
Step through the interactive method, then drill one hundred and two practice problems with Pass and H1 model answers and examiner's comments.