Critically evaluate the use of reasonable force as a defence in criminal cases

Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of criminal offences and defences

Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding:

·Detailed knowledge and critical understanding of the various criminal offences and defences, and of the different forms of criminal liability, as regulated by the law governing England and Wales.

Demonstrate the following skills and abilities:

·Ability to identify legal issues arising out of factual scenarios and accurately identify the law that relates to these legal issues in order to provide a legally sound analysis of those issues.

What am I required to do in this assignment?

Critically evaluate and discuss whether the introduction of s.76 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 has clarified the law on the use of reasonable force in cases involving the defence of self-defence.

Your evaluation and discussion should be supported by relevant legislation, case law and academic commentary.

Plagiarism- The teaching team operates a zero-tolerance policy regarding plagiarism and other academic misconduct. All coursework is checked for originality through Turnitin. The teaching team reserves the right to call all students for a viva voce examination on their work where doubts arise as to compliance with the University’s regulations on academic integrity.

What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)

In order to pass the assessment, you will need to:

·identify the legal issues arising from the question and accurately identify the relevant principles and norms of criminal law;

·correctly apply the law in relation to these issues in a coherent piece of writing.

How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?

We will be filling this section in together in class on 00/03/2021 make sure you have downloaded/printed out the Assignment Brief and bring it to the session with you.

How does assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?

The assessment tests your understanding in the area of criminal offences and the related defences which have been taught in scheduled classes and as part of your independent learning.

The assignment brief is designed to make you reflect on one of the elements that is at the heart of the debate on criminal responsibility, that is, whether to punish an individual for actions that in essence are excessive but can be viewed by many to be morally justifiable.

The question tests your knowledge and understanding not only of the law relating to self-defence, but also the appreciation of the wider influences which go into shaping the interpretation and application of reasonable force in self-defence cases.

Ability to identify legal issues and apply relevant law

The assessment is testing your ability to research from both primary and secondary sources to distill an answer which addresses the issues raised in the question. The assessment question also tests your ability to structure the research and then present it in a coherent manner. You will be expected to demonstrate good writing skills which you would have developed during the course of the scheduled classes in Criminal law and practiced through seminars.

How will my assignment be marked?

Your assignment will be marked according to the threshold expectations and the criteria on the following page.

You can use them to evaluate your own work and consider your grade before you submit

Feedback to your assignment will be released 20 working days after the deadline. You are strongly encouraged to engage with the feedback and follow any actions suggested by your examiner.

1 Basic identification of relevant legal issues Accurate identification of most legal issues

Detailed identification of the legal issues and application of the law to the facts

Detailed and highly accurate identification of the legal issues and application of the law to the facts

2 Basic application of the law to the facts, evidence of reading cases. Limited engagement with relevant academic commentary

Accurate application of the law to the facts, evidence of reading cases. Limited engagement with relevant academic commentary

Detailed application of the law to the facts, evidence of reading cases and academic commentary where relevant

Evidence of reading and applying highly relevant cases and high-quality research and academic commentary where relevant

3 Basic referencing in accordance with OSCOLA

Adequate referencing in accordance with OSCOLA

Consistent referencing in accordance with OSCOLA

Excellent referencing in accordance with OSCOLA with attention to detail

4 Basic analysis or application of legal issues such as the coherence of the law and any proposed legal reform Adequate analysis or discussion of legal issues such as the coherence of the law and any proposed legal reform

Reasoned analysis and discussion of the law and legal issues such as the coherence of the law and any proposed legal reform

Excellent analysis and fully reasoned discussion of the law and legal issues such as the coherence of the law and any proposed legal reform

5 Basic writing skills and presentational style. Limitations may result from spelling and expression errors

Limitations may result from spelling and expression errors

Very good written and presentational style with limited spelling and expression errors Excellent written and presentational style including appropriate referencing, with no spelling or expression errors.