Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
Substantive Criminal Law
Understand the principle of legality (no crime or punishment without law), the elements of a crime (actus reus and mens rea), and categories of offences (felonies, misdemeanours, contraventions). Study defences: necessity, self-defence, minority, insanity, and mistake. Know the rules on attempt, complicity, and participation.
Criminal Procedure
Master the phases: investigation by the public prosecution, referral to court, trial, and appeal. Know the rights of the accused (presumption of innocence, right to counsel, right to remain silent), the rules on arrest and detention, and the role of the public prosecution in supervising investigations. Understand the rules on evidence, search warrants, and the inadmissibility of evidence obtained in violation of procedure.
Traps
Candidates often confuse the roles of police and public prosecution - police investigate under prosecution supervision, and the prosecution decides on referral. Another trap is assuming the accused must prove innocence; the burden lies with the prosecution. Questions also test the time limits for detention and the requirement of judicial supervision.
Rule of thumb
When a fact pattern involves a confession obtained under duress or without counsel, the correct answer is usually inadmissibility or procedural nullity, not a substantive defence.