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Fatal Offences Against the Person

The Elements of Murder

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 1

Overview

Recall questions on the four elements of murder at common law and on unlawful killing, the King's peace and who counts as a human being.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Numbers

What are the four elements required to establish murder at common law?

Key term

What does 'under the King's peace' mean in the definition of murder?

Key term

What must the prosecution prove to establish the actus reus of murder?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What are the four elements required to establish murder at common law?

    Model answer

    (1) Unlawful killing, (2) of a human being, (3) under the King's peace, (4) with malice aforethought.

  2. 2

    What does 'unlawful killing' mean in the context of murder?

    Model answer

    A killing that is not legally justified or excused (e.g. not in lawful self-defence or by lawful execution).

  3. 3

    What does 'under the King's peace' mean in the definition of murder?

    Model answer

    The killing must not occur during the course of war against an enemy combatant; it excludes lawful acts of war.

  4. 4

    Who qualifies as 'a human being' for the purposes of murder?

    Model answer

    A living person; the victim must have been born alive and have an existence independent of the mother.

  5. 5

    What must the prosecution prove to establish the actus reus of murder?

    Model answer

    That the defendant caused the death of a living human being.

  6. 6

    Define 'malice aforethought' as an element of murder.

    Model answer

    The mental element of murder, meaning intention to kill or intention to cause grievous bodily harm.

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