ABSTRACT
After reading this chapter you should be able to:
Understand the limitations on liability of children in criminal law
Understand the effects a person’s mental state may have on their criminal liability
Understand the concept and basic principles of vicarious liability in the criminal law
Analyse critically the concept of vicarious liability
Understand the basic principles of corporate liability in the criminal law
Analyse critically the need for corporate liability and the tests used in establishing it
There are some circumstances in which the law rules that a person is not capable of committing a crime. The main limitations are on:children under the age of ten;
mentally ill persons;
corporations.
On the other hand, there are some circumstances in which a person may be liable for the actions of another under the principle of vicarious liability.