Monaghan: Criminal Law Directions, 7th edition, Chapter 4

Answers to Exam questions

Chapter 4

Question 1

To what extent, if at all, do you think that strict liability is justified?

Bullets

• You should begin by offering an explanation of strict liability. Strict liability offences
do not require proof of mens rea in respect of one element of the actus reus of an
offence. It is important to distinguish between strict liability and absolute liability.
However, proof of mens rea may be required for some of the elements of the actus
reus.

• Absolute liability offences are very rare. A defendant will be guilty if a certain “state
of affairs” is proved to exist. An absolute liability offence does not require proof of a
voluntary act, so the fact that the defendant involuntarily committed the offence is
irrelevant and no defence. Consider drink-driving under s.4(1) of the Road Traffic Act
1998, Larsonneur (1933) and Winzar v Chief Constable of Kent (1983).

• Most strict liability offences are regulatory offences. They are usually statutory and
govern issues such as health and safety, pollution, food safety, road traffic and
licensing. Some strict liability offences carry the possibility of a sentence of
imprisonment, but many are relatively minor and may be dealt with by a fine.

• There is a general presumption in favour of the requirement of mens rea in a

criminal offence. However, this presumption may be misplaced, rendering the
offence one of strict liability. Consider Sherras v De Rutzen (1895), Sweet v Parsley
(1970) and Gammon (Hong Kong) Ltd v Attorney General of Hong Kong (1985). The
presumption was more recently confirmed by the House of Lords in B (A minor) v
DPP (2000).

• Strict liability offences permit a defendant to be convicted of a criminal offence

without proof of some element of fault. It is important to understand the justifications
for imposing criminal liability in the absence of clear blameworthiness.

• The first justification for strict liability is the protection of the public. Strict liability
generally relates to regulatory offences, encouraging greater vigilance and safety
and deterring incompetence and unsafe behaviour.

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 Monaghan: Criminal Law Directions, 7th edition, Chapter 4

• Another justification relates to cost effectiveness. Strict liability offences are easier to
prosecute as they do not require the prosecution to spend time and effort proving the
mens rea element.

• Most strict liability offences are regulatory only and not “truly criminal”, so they only
carry a minor penalty, such as a fine. The imposition of strict liability for imprisonable
offences is rare. So the risk to an individual’s liberty without proof of mens rea is
minimal.

• However, consideration must also be given to the arguments against strict liability.
Strict liability violates the principle that criminal offences require proof of both an
actus reus and a mens rea: actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea. This means “an
act does not make a man guilty of a crime, unless his mind be also guilty”: per Lord
Hailsham in Haughton v Smith (1975).

• In some situations, a defendant who has taken all reasonably practicable steps to
avoid liability may be strictly liable. Strict liability can be unjust and contrary to
principles of fairness. Consider Smedleys Ltd v Breed (1974).

• A defendant may still be “punished” by the stigma which goes with being convicted
of a criminal offence. In some cases, such a conviction may also damage the
reputation of the defendant, potentially also affecting his livelihood.

• Students might consider the alternatives to strict liability, such as a requirement of

negligence or a defence of due diligence.

Question 2

Section 1 of the Law Library (Modernisation) Act 2012 (fictitious) provides that it is a
criminal offence “to be in possession of a hardback or paperback law textbook, law
report or law journal”.

Ellie, a librarian, removes all law books from the library in preparation for a library
inspection. Paul, a law lecturer, gives her a wrapped present, which she places on her
desk, planning to open it later. The present is a signed edition of Ellie’s favourite law
textbook.

Discuss Ellie’s criminal liability.

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 Monaghan: Criminal Law Directions, 7th edition, Chapter 4

Bullets

• This question requires consideration of strict liability offences. You should explain
that offences of strict liability lack at least one mens rea element in respect of the
actus reus. Distinguish between strict and absolute liability.

• It is often difficult to identify offences of strict liability as Acts do not specifically state
that an offence is strict liability. Where the statute uses a mens rea word, then the
mens rea is clear and the offence is not one of strict liability. However, where a
statute is not clear on the mens rea of the offence, it is left to the courts to determine
whether the offence is one of strict liability or not.

• Discuss the general presumption in favour of the requirement of mens rea, which
means that criminal offences are presumed to contain mens rea elements, even
where the statute is silent as to the mens rea. However, this presumption may be
misplaced, rendering the offence one of strict liability. Consider Sherras v De Rutzen
(1895), Sweet v Parsley (1970) and Gammon (Hong Kong) Ltd v Attorney General of
Hong Kong (1985). The presumption was more recently confirmed by the House of
Lords in B (A minor) v DPP (2000).

• Consider the offence under the Law Library (Modernisation) Act 2012. The offence is
one of possession. Although Ellie does not intend to be in possession of the book,
nor is she really reckless in this regard, the statute does not specifically mention any
mens rea words such as intention or recklessness. However, the presumption of
mens rea applies. You should address the issue of whether the presumption can be
misplaced.

• Consider the guidelines set out by Lord Scarman in Gammon (Hong Kong) Ltd v
Attorney General of Hong Kong (1985).

(1) there is a presumption of law that mens rea is required before a person can be
held guilty of a criminal offence;

(2) the presumption is particularly strong where the offence is “truly criminal” in
character;

(3) the presumption applies to statutory offences, and can be displaced only if this is
clearly or by necessary implication the effect of the statute;

(4) the only situation in which the presumption can be displaced is where the statute
is concerned with an issue of social concern, and public safety is such an issue;

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 Monaghan: Criminal Law Directions, 7th edition, Chapter 4

(5) even where a statute is concerned with such an issue, the presumption of mens
rea stands unless it can also be shown that the creation of strict liability will be
effective to promote the objects of the statute by encouraging greater vigilance to
prevent the commission of the prohibited act.

• You should consider each of these guidelines and apply them to the facts in the
question. Truly criminal offences are more likely to require proof of mens rea.
Consider whether this offence is truly criminal in its nature or whether it is likely to be
considered a regulatory offence.

• The court will consider the severity of the offence: B (A minor) v DPP (2000). This is
not a serious offence.

• Regulatory offences are more likely to be strict liability. Consideration must be given
to whether the offence deals with a social concern. You should discuss the
possession of drugs case, Warner v Metropolitan Police Commissioner (1969). In
this case, the possession offence was deemed to be one of strict liability. Thus, the
prosecution did not need to prove that the defendant knew that he was in
possession of a controlled drug. Applying this to the problem scenario, the
prosecution would not need to prove that Ellie knew that the present contained a law
textbook, provided it was proved that she knew she was in possession of a parcel.

• However, you might distinguish this case on the basis that there is clear issue of
social concern in Warner, namely the misuse of drugs. Can the same be said of this
case? Would a strict liability offence here encourage greater vigilance?

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