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About us Faculty of Law International programmes Incoming exchange (guest students) Course Information

Criminal Law (10 ECTS)

Lecturer(s): mr. dr. W. Geelhoed, dr. mr. L.J.J. Peters, mr. A.E. Schipaanboord,
                   dr. mr. A.A. van Dijk (coordinator), J.E. Versluis, M.K. Westra

When: Block 2

Brief course description:
The course Criminal law is divided into two separate parts. Part A is dedicated to substantive criminal law, whereas part B is dedicated to procedural criminal law. There will be one single exam. Half of the grade is based on questions about part A and the other half of the grade is based on questions about part B.

Part A: substantive criminal law
Comparative law research shows that criminal law systems around the world deal with similar subjects and thus more or less with the same issues. Although, at first sight, every country seems to follow a path of its own, to a great extent criminal law systems have the same foundations. The objective of this part of the course is to study these fundamental and universal principles and concepts. Hypothetical cases will be used to explain legal doctrines and to explore the moral foundations of legal rules. The following topics will be discussed: the legality principle, actus reus (commission versus omission, causation), mens rea (intent versus negligence), the classification of offences, defences (justifications and excuses), inchoate offences (attempt and preparation)and European criminal law.

Part B: procedural criminal law
National criminal justice systems differ substantially. The adversarial or common law approach has other roots than the inquisitorial or civil law approach. Nevertheless, all criminal law systems have to deal with similar subjects and/or legal questions, and thus more or less the same issues. In Europe, the case law of the European Court of Human Rights contains a standard that every Member State has to respect. In this course, the focus is on ECHR case law and the influence of this case law on national systems of criminal procedure. The following elements of criminal procedure will be discussed: preliminary investigations, preparation and representation at the trial, evidence, sentencing and appeal. The position and competences or rights of the different actors in criminal procedures will also be discussed.

Teaching method: Lectures, working groups (tutorials)

Assessment: Assignment(s), written exam (essay questions) (digital if possible)
(Bonuspoints in the form of a presentation.)

*Official course information and schedules during the academic year can be found in Ocasys.

Last modified:05 February 2024 12.21 p.m.