This course aims to encourage students to discover insights into the concepts of crime, criminal liability and substantive criminal offences and their application in Hong Kong. Additionally, the course aims to engage students in the analysis, explanation and application of the substantive law and to encourage and facilitate the development of the necessary analytical, reasoning and practical skills needed to apply the substantive law to factual scenarios. Attention will be given to the strengths and weakness of substantive criminal law as it operates in Hong Kong and students will be encouraged to consider the development of Hong Kong's substantive criminal law and to draw comparisons with the development of substantive criminal law in other jurisdictions. The course also aims to encourage students to think independently, and to discover for themselves relevant principles and ideas.

Examination: A two-hour open book examination will test students' ability to describe explain and contrast the purpose and operation of substantive criminal offences, their constituent parts and components and the principles, objectives and purposes underpinning those substantive offences will be tested as will the ability to apply those principles to given situations and to resolve issues and problems relating to the operation of the criminal law. The examination also contains a compulsory essay dealing with policy questions with a critical focus (for JD students only).

The use of Generative AI tools for any course assessment is strictly prohibited.

Grading of Student Achievement: Refer to Grading of Courses in the Academic Regulations (Attachment) and to the Explanatory Notes.

Standard (A+ A A- ... F)

Applicable to students admitted from Semester A 2022/23 to Summer Term 2024

To pass this course, students must obtain an aggregate mark of 50% and a minimum of 50% in each of the examination and continuous assessment (CA) components. 

Applicable to students admitted before Semester A 2022/23 and in Semester A 2024/25 and thereafter

To pass this course, students must obtain an aggregate mark of 40% and a minimum of 40% in each of the examination and continuous assessment (CA) components.