LL5055 - Criminal Law II (2026/27)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2026/27 | ||||||||||
| Module title | Criminal Law II | ||||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||
| School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | ||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||
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| Running in 2026/27(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
Criminal Law II builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in the study of the LL4057, Criminal Law I. Students study further key principles of criminal law, which is one of the foundation subjects of English law, as identified by the Bar Standards Board.
The aims of the module are as follows:
1. You will acquire knowledge of the basic principles of defences; violent offences; and property offences in criminal law.
2. You will develop several key transferable skills, including independent research, critical analysis and cogent academic writing in the context of criminal law, emphasising the use of primary and secondary sources.
3. You will enhance your employability by the development of these skills, and by the practice of written communication activities (including summative) and oral communication activities (formative only).
4. You will gain increasing confidence, self-efficacy and emotional resilience as a result of sharing your opinions and research with other students in tutorial activities and group work. This is in accordance with the Identity, Personalisation and Reflection aims of the ESJ.
Syllabus
Defences in criminal law:
• Automatism
• Insanity,
• Intoxication
• Infancy
• Duress
• Necessity
• Public and private defence
• Mistake
• Consent
Violent (Non-fatal) Offences:
• Assault and battery
• Offences contrary to sections 47,18 & 20 Offences Against the Person Act 1861
• Stalking and harassment
• Racially and religiously aggravated assaults
Property Offences:
• Theft
• Robbery
• Burglary
• Handling
• Blackmail
• Fraud
• Dishonest obtaining of services
• Making off without payment
All these subjects pervade each of the Learning Outcomes 1, 2 and 3.
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Learning & Teaching Strategy
Weekly two-hour lecture and one-hour seminar.
The lecture will be used for:
• Dissemination of knowledge through an overview of each topic with detailed guidance on appropriate aspects;
• An introduction to relevant academic literature;
• Guidance on learning strategies;
• Use of WebLearn and IT resources;
• Whole group questions and discussion.
The seminar will be used for the development of skills necessary to attain the module learning outcomes through:
• Written and oral questions/answers designed to reinforce fundamental rules, principles and cases;
• A range of step-by-step analytical exercises;
• Problem solving;
• IT tasks, such as research of cases and statutes;
• Legal writing;
• Oral presentation;
• Oral communication;
• Teamwork.
Blended Learning
All learning materials, previous examination questions and sample Q/A’s will be on blackboard for use in directed private study.
Student engagement will be encouraged in both lectures and seminars through weekly use of WebLearn for access to all of the above materials.
There will be required use of the professional legal databases, especially Westlaw and Lexis Library, for legal research.
Opportunities for reflective learning/pdp
Each weekly seminar will contain space for students to reflect on what they have learnt in relation to the overall syllabus. There will be frequent feedback opportunities structured into the timetable and a range of sample answers posted onto WebLearn.
Employability
Employability strategy will aim to acquaint students with a range of employment avenues both in the legal profession and in those professions into which legal qualifications and skills are transferable.
Student’s Study Responsibilities
The need for attendance, punctuality, preparation and engagement will be emphasised with particular reference to written and IT research, problem-solving, team-work, discussion, debate and critical awareness of the subject.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of defences, (non-fatal) offences against the person and property offences.
2. Demonstrate the ability critically to discuss case study problems relating to the topics covered in the syllabus.
3. Demonstrate the ability to write critical, discursive essays relating to the topics covered in the syllabus.
Bibliography
https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/F3EA4851-2625-933C-D448-006418DEF102.html
Reading list
Clarkson and Keating criminal law: text and material
By Sally Kyd; Daniel Bansal; T. Elliott; Mark Austin Walters; C. M. V. Clarkson; Heather M. Keating
202411th edition
Criminal law
by William Wilson; Laura Lammasniemi
2024, 8th edition
Complete criminal law: text, cases and materials
by Janet Loveless; Mischa Allen; Caroline Derry
2025, 9th edition
ADDITIONAL READING
Criminal law
by M. J. Allen
2024, 17th edition
Clarkson and Keating criminal law: text and materials
by Sally Kyd; Daniel Bansal; T. Elliott; Mark Austin Walters; C. M. V. Clarkson; Heather M. Keating
2024, 11th edition
Blackstone's statutes on criminal law: [2025-2026]
edited by Matthew Dyson
2025,35th edition
Criminal law
by Jonathan Herring
2025, 14th edition
Smith, Hogan and Ormerod's criminal law
by D. C. Ormerod; Karl Laird; Matthew Gibson
2024, 17th edition
DATABASES
Westlaw Edge UK
Lexis+ UK