Law

Law summer work

PART ONE

Research a law that has been recently introduced (within the past 5 years)

Answer:

1. Why this law was introduced – what was the issue before this law that the Government were trying to overcome?
2. What has the impact of this law been – has anyone been convicted? What are the repercussions of the law? What impact has this law made on society?

If you are struggling: up-skirting, carrying acid, knife crime, driving offences….try and research your own legislation though!

 

PART TWO

Fault is the idea that individuals are blameworthy for an offence. UK law can be considered to be based upon this principle of fault and blameworthiness. The more blameworthy someone is, the more serious the offence.

Task: research the law on murder and voluntary manslaughter.

Your task is to write an essay (at least a side and a half) on how far the UK law on murder and voluntary manslaughter reflect the idea of fault and blameworthiness.

To help: think about whether some killing is viewed as less blameworthy than others. Are individuals with mental health issues considered less blameworthy? If someone experiences loss of control, why are they considered less blameworthy? Is it fair that someone with perverted sexual desires is not considered as a murderer (see the case of BYRNE), but someone who kills their dying child is (see the case of FRANCIS INGLIS).

Try and include cases to support your ideas – which cases demonstrate fault?

Extension task material

Reith Lectures by Jonathan Sumption on Radio4 (Podcast)

The Rule of Law by Thomas Bingham (book)