Exam-focused NCA notes, organized by the NCA syllabus.
Exam-focused NCA notes for Criminal Law, built on the current NCA syllabus (revised August 2026) and covering all 32 topics: preliminary matters, the elements of an offence, extensions of liability, the main criminal defences, and the adversarial proceeding from police powers to sentencing and appeals. Every topic comes with case snapshots and exam tips, and each Part ends with a review of quick checks and practice problems with model answers.
219 pagesUpdated Oct 15, 2026
What is included
Exam-focused subject explanations
Case summaries and structured review
Practice-oriented study guidance
Future updates to this subject guide
Inside this guide
1.The Sources of Criminal Lawp. 4
2.The Power to Create Criminal Offences and Rules of Criminal Procedurep. 7
3.The Procedural Classification of Offencesp. 14
4.Interpreting Criminal Provisionsp. 18
5.The Actus Reusp. 35
6.Subjective Mens Reap. 50
7.Objective Mens Rea and True Crimesp. 60
8.Regulatory Offencesp. 64
9.Aiding and Abettingp. 81
10.Counsellingp. 87
11.Attemptsp. 89
12.Corporate and Association Liabilityp. 93
13.Mental Disorderp. 108
14.Automatism and Involuntary Acts "Negativing" the Actus Reusp. 111
15.Simple Intoxication and Specific Intent Crimesp. 115
16.Extreme Intoxication and General Intent Crimesp. 118
17.Defence of the Personp. 121
18.Necessityp. 126
19.Duressp. 128
20.Provocationp. 134
21.Entrapmentp. 139
22.Error of Law and Colour of Rightp. 143
23.The Adversarial Processp. 161
24.Police Powersp. 173
25.Securing Jurisdiction over the Accused and Interim Releasep. 181
26.Disclosure and Productionp. 187
27.Preliminary Inquiriesp. 192
28.The Jury Trialp. 194
29.Pre-Trial Motionsp. 197
30.Trial Within a Reasonable Timep. 197
31.General Principles of Sentencingp. 201
32.Appeals of Final Decisions and Judicial Review of Interim Decisionsp. 208
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