Criminal Law

Notes

Cases
Resources
Introduction to Criminal Law

This note discussed criminal law in terms of meaning, scope and functions, sources of criminal law, and some basic and frequently used terms in criminal law especially in the Ghanaian context.

Crime in Criminal Law

This note examined the concept of crime, its characteristics, and the differences between crimes and other offensive conduct.

Criminal Jurisdiction of Ghanaian Courts

This note discusses the circumstances in which Ghanaian courts are conferred with jurisdiction in relation to criminal matters.

Introducing and Defining Actus Reus

This note introduces actus reus as an element of crime in the Ghanaian context

Criminal Omissions: When an Omission Constitutes Actus Reus

This note discusses the circumstances under which a person has a duty to act to prevent harm to others. These circumstances are an exception to a general rule that failing to act to prevent harm to another is not criminal.

Introduction to Causation in Criminal Law

This note discusses the concept of causation under actus reus

Causation under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)

This note examines the provisions on causation in Ghana per the provisions in Act 29

Causing Death under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)

This note discusses the special provisions relating to causing death per the provisions of section 64 of Act 29.

Mens Rea

This note discusses mens rea under Act 29 (Criminal Code of Ghana)

Introduction to Exemptions from Criminal Liability in Ghana

This note briefly discusses the grounds for which a person is exempted from criminal liability.

Infancy as an Exemption from Criminal Liability

This note discusses who an infant is and how infancy serves as a basis for exemption from criminal liability.

Introduction to Insanity as an Exemption from Criminal Liability

This note provides a brief overview on insanity as a basis for exemption from criminal liaiblity.

Applicable Rules on Insanity as an Exemption from Criminal Liability

Case law has made various clarifications on when insanity would be upheld as a defence, how to prove insanity, and the effect of insanity, inter alia. This note discusses those clarificaitons

Automatism as an Exemption from Criminal Liability

This note discusses automatism as a defence under common law that can exempt an individual from criminal liability.

Intoxication as an Exemption from Criminal Liability

This note discusses the legal principles on intoxication as an exemption from criminal liability in the Ghanaian context.

Introduction to Inchoate Offences

This note provides a basic understanding of inchoate offences in terms of definition, rationale, and types

Inchoate Offences: Attempting to Commit a Criminal Offence

When an offence is described as “inchoate”, it means the offence is partly formed or not completely developed. This note discusses attempt as a type of inchoate offence in the Ghanaian context.

Preparation as an Inchoate Offence

This note discusses preparation as an inchoate offence in the Ghanaian context

Inchoate Offences: Abetment of a Criminal Offence

This note discusses abetment as an inchoate offence in the Ghanaian context

Inchoate Offences: Introduction to Conspiracy

This note explains the meaning of conspiracy, amendment in the definition of a conspiracy in Ghana, among others.

Applicable Rules for Conspiracy

This note discusses essential principles applicable to the offence of conspiracy.

Introduction to Fatal Offences

A fatal offence is one that leads to the death of another

Murder in Ghana

This note discusses murder as a criminal offence in Ghana.

Introduction to Manslaughter in Ghana

This note discusses manslaughter as a criminal offence in Ghana.

Manslaughter as Unintentionally Causing the Death of Another or Manslaughter Simpliciter

This note examines the meaning of manslaughter as provided for in section 51 of Act 29

Manslaughter as Intentional Unlawful Killing which is reduced to Manslaughter

This note examines the factors that will cause murder to be reduced to manslaughter

Manslaughter as Killing Resulting from Gross Negligence or Involuntary Manslaughter

This note discusses when negligence which results in death will be considered manslaughter.

Introduction to Sexual Offences in Ghana

This note provides an overview of various sexual offences in Ghana.

Rape as a Sexual Offence in Ghana

This note discusses rape as a Sexual Offence in Ghana. Essentially, it examines the meaning of rape and it's elements.

Defilement as a Sexual Offence in Ghana

This note discusses the offence of defilement, it's elements, how it differs from rape, among others

Indecent Assault as a Sexual Offence in Ghana

Indecent assault is a sexual offence in Ghana involving contact with another in a sexual manner and will be discussed in this note in terms of its meaning, elements, and punishment.