scholarly journals The Concept of an “Act of a Sexual Nature” in Criminal Law

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 753-768
Author(s):  
Beatriz Corrêa Camargo ◽  
Joachim Renzikowski
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Intercourse ◽  
Criminal Law ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Sex Crimes ◽  
Sexual Relations ◽  
Borderline Cases ◽  
Valid Consent ◽  
The Law ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Feminist Movements

AbstractAll jurisdictions assume a concept of an act of a sexual nature by regulating sex crimes. Until the sex revolution and feminist movements for equality in sexual relations, criminal law was mostly concerned with specific types of sexual acts, particularly non-marital sexual intercourse. With the paradigm shift of recent years, criminalization tends to embrace all acts of a sexual nature with another person without her valid consent. Whether the law contains a definition of a sexual act or not, borderline cases show that neither merely objective criteria nor purely subjective elements can serve as basis for the description of the conduct under prohibition. Our Article tries to overcome this deficit in the criminal law theory. Sexual acts should not be understood through the metaphor of a “picture,” as German legal scholars believe, but with the metaphor of a script played out by an actor as sexual theorists put it.

scholarly journals Legislation on the offence of rape in Icelandic criminal law

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Ragnheiður Bragadóttir
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Intercourse ◽  
Criminal Law ◽  
Penal Code ◽  
Sexual Relations ◽  
Sexual Offences ◽  
Broad Definition ◽  
Academic Discussion ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Current Provision ◽  
Societal Views

In recent years the concept of rape has been frequently discussed in Iceland. The chapter on sexual offences in the Icelandic General Penal Code (GPC) was revised in its entirety in 1992 and 2007, and important amendments were made on the provision on rape, section 194 of the GPC. The amendments in 2007 included a new, broad definition of the concept of rape, which was intended to cover all incidents where sexual intercourse or other sexual relations were performed against the victim’s will. In 2018 amendments were made on section 194 on rape, where the word “consent” was included in the provision. This does not constitute a substantive change since lack of consent was already an underlying element of the provision due to the amendments in 2007. The article addresses the academic discussion and societal views that were the precursor of these amendments, evaluates the current provision and discusses whether further amendments are needed.   

scholarly journals “They never talk about a victim’s feelings: according to criminal law, feelings are not facts”—Portuguese judicial narratives about sex crimes

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Ventura
Keyword(s):  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Criminal Law ◽  
White Men ◽  
Criminal Code ◽  
Critical Discourse ◽  
Sex Crimes ◽  
Rape Victims ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Law ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract Sexual violence is a central dimension of what is generally called violence against women. Historically, the law has been one of the structures that has reinforced gender inequality and legitimized male seizure of women’s sexuality within and outside marriage: legally, married women had no right to sexual freedom regarding their husbands and, at the same time, non-wed women who pressed charges against white men were accused of lying and faced victim-blaming judicial practices. Since the beginning of the 1990s, Portuguese rape legislation has changed in order to recognize that sex crimes offend someone’s right to sexual self-determination. The Criminal Code has abandoned expressions like modesty and decency when referring to sex crimes, and a controversial mitigating penalty norm based on a victim’s provocative behaviour or on the relation between the accused and the plaintiff was repealed in 1995. In addition, criminal law has evolved to a gender-neutral formulation and expanded the definition of rape adopting the “all penetration” formula. Nevertheless, the discourses of Portuguese jurisprudence and doctrine reveal stereotyped images about rape victims’ behaviour and biased evaluations against women. Therefore, the ‘law in books’ must be analysed in its relation with ‘law in action’, which is unescapably influenced by doctrine and by magistrates’ individual beliefs. This paper aims to capture judicial representations of rape, rape victims and offenders. Qualitative data are used based on 20 semi-structured interviews with 18 judges and prosecutors and two attorneys. The interviews were analysed through critical discourse analysis using a feminist approach. This article is published as part of a collection on gender studies.

Consent after the House of Lords: Taking and leading astray the Law of Theft

Legal Studies ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-322
Author(s):  
Mitchell C. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Law ◽  
House Of Lords ◽  
The Law ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Specific Definition

The objectives of the Criminal Law Revision Committee when drafting the radical reforms proposed by the 1966 Theft Bill were described by a contemporary commentator2 as being: ‘. . . to do away with the more embarrassing and restrictive technicalities of the existing law . . .’In the same place it was observed that the Committee faced a choice between creating a specific definition of the various theft offences and their elements, or one whose generality would allow it to evolve to meet the challenges presented by ever more complex and sophisticated dishonest dealing.

scholarly journals CRIMINAL DELINQUENCY – CYBERSTALKING: CHARACTERISTICS OF OBJECT AND OBJECTIVE SIDE

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (83) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Uldis Ķinis
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Law ◽  
Criminal Responsibility ◽  
Written Text ◽  
Legitimate Interest ◽  
International Regulations ◽  
Actus Reus ◽  
The Law ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Objective Side ◽  
First Time

On January 2018 significant amendments to the Criminal Law and the Law On the Procedure for Application of the Criminal Law came into force in Latvia. These changes not only in the first time introduce the criminal responsibility for the emotional violence, but also determine the procedure for assessing emotional disparity, equating the effects to telepathic injuries.In the article, the author reviews a modality of crime “persecution” - cyber-persecution. Although the legislator in the annotation of the law provides that the article also shall be applicable to acts committed in cyberspace, at the same time, the author indicates some problems that may arise due to the narrow interpretation of the law by the law enforcement. The purpose of the article is to study the object (protected legitimate interest) and the objective side (actus reus) of the offense - cyber-stalking. For purposes of research, several methods have been used. The method of comparative analysis, for examination and comparison of external and international regulations. Methods of legal interpretation used to disclose the differences between the understanding of the written text of the definition of the crime and what ought to be understood in the meaning of the norm. Finally, the author presents the conclusions and proposals on the application of the norm.

12. Theft

2020 ◽  
pp. 356-406
Author(s):  
David Ormerod ◽  
Karl Laird
Keyword(s):  
Supreme Court ◽  
Criminal Law ◽  
Civil Law ◽  
The Supreme Court ◽  
The Law ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Court Of Appeal

This chapter examines the law governing theft. It considers the extent to which the criminal law of theft conflicts with civil law concepts of property; whether it is possible to steal property that belongs to oneself; the types of property that may be stolen; and the extent to which it is possible to provide a definition of ‘dishonesty’. The test for dishonesty has been fundamentally altered by the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, developments which are analysed in this chapter.

scholarly journals Leniency programmesfor cartel: mature reforms

2018 ◽  
pp. 24-33
Author(s):  
K. N. Aleshin ◽  
S. V. Maksimov
Keyword(s):  
Russian Federation ◽  
Criminal Law ◽  
Criminal Code ◽  
Administrative Law ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
The Law ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Right

The problems of interpretation of criminal law and administrative law institutes of active repentance (“leniency programmes”) in relation to cartels are considered.The definition of the effectiveness of the institution of active repentance is given as the ability of this institution to achieve the goals stipulated by law (in the aggregate or in a particular combination): 1) termination of the committed offense (crime) (“surrender”),2) assistance in investigating the relevant administrative offense (crime), 3) compensation for the harm caused by his offense (crime), 4) refusal to commit such offenses (crimes) in the future.The condition of the quadunity of these goals is investigated. It is noted that among the main factors reducing the effectiveness of administrative law and criminal law institutions of active repentance (“leniency programmes”) in relation to a cartel is the legal inconsistency of these institutions.Proposals are being made to amend par. 3 of the Notes to Art. 178 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and Note 1 to Art. 14.32 of the Code of the Russian Federation Code of Administrative Offenses iin order to bring together the relevant institutions of active repentance.The necessity of legislative consolidation of general procedural rules for the implementation of the person who participated in the conclusion of the cartel, the law granted him the right to active repentance is substantiated.

scholarly journals THE QUALIFICATION OF RAPE

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (72) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Dainis Mežulis
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Intercourse ◽  
Criminal Law ◽  
Trust Authority ◽  
The Law ◽  
Further Development

Latvian Criminal Law has been substantially amended in 2014 and 2015. In accordance with these amendments – offense may be recognized as rape not only in cases when violence, threat or victim’s helplessness were used, but also in cases where act of sexual intercourse has been committed against the victim’s will by using trust, authority or other influence. In the article interpretation issues of these innovations/changes have been analyzed. Author also addresses possibilities for further development of the Law. Such opportunities would be, e.g., determining particular liability for rape committed with deceit and defining exact perception about consent for sexual intercourse.

6. Property Offences

2020 ◽  
pp. 97-129
Author(s):  
Mischa Allen
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Law ◽  
Study Skills ◽  
Important Concept ◽  
Questions And Answers ◽  
The Law ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Property Offences

The Concentrate Questions and Answers series offers the best preparation for tackling exam questions. Each book includes typical questions, diagram answer plans, suggested answers, author commentary and advice on study skills. This chapter presents sample exam questions on theft, fraud, and other property offences such as robbery and burglary, along with suggested answers. The law of property is vast, and contained in a number of different pieces of legislation. As this chapter explains, the Fraud Act 2006 was designed to replace many of the discrepancies and inconsistencies in the diverse provisions of the Theft Acts of 1968 and 1978. It pays to be methodical in approaching property problems. Dishonesty is an important concept throughout the property offences. The recent decision in Ivey v Genting Casinos, which has an important effect on the definition of dishonesty in criminal law, is dealt with in detail in this chapter.

The doctrine of Res Judicata in International Criminal Law

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa Theofanis
Keyword(s):  
International Law ◽  
Criminal Law ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
International Criminal ◽  
Common Law ◽  
Civil Law ◽  
International Criminal Law ◽  
Res Judicata ◽  
The Law ◽  
Definition Of

AbstractRes judicata is well-settled as a general principle of international law. But the rules of res judicata in international criminal procedure are undeveloped. Recent cases from the ad hoc criminal tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda have added to the understanding of res judicata in international law - demonstrating the risk that new rules of res judicata will implicitly incorporate either a common-law or civil-law definition of what the "law" is. Analysis of issues considered in recent Tribunal jurisprudence - particularly the questions of review and reconsideration - locates potential hazards in the development of the law and provides guidance for the application of the ICC statute.

The Structure of Criminal Liability: Complicity

1996 ◽  
Vol 30 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 146-153
Author(s):  
Miriam Gur-Arye
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Law ◽  
Mental State ◽  
Criminal Liability ◽  
Criminal Code ◽  
Draft Code ◽  
Actus Reus ◽  
The Law ◽  
Definition Of

The notion of “wrongdoing” is not recognized by the Draft Code. Nor does it classify the criminal law defences as either justification or excuse. Rather, the Draft Code distinguishes between “an offence” and “an act”. The term “offence” is used to cover cases where theactus reusis committed with the mental state required by the definition of the offence, by an offender who is criminally liable. An offender who has a defence, even a personal one, such as insanity, mistake, or duress, commits “an act”. The term “act” is used to indicate that defences negate the criminal nature of the act.I have elsewhere elaborated on the question whether or not a criminal code which aims to reform the criminal law should distinguish between justification and excuse. There I have both discussed and evaluated,inter alia, the proposals of the Draft Code in this context. Therefore, I shall not elaborate on this subject any further. I shall rather focus on the law of complicity and shall discuss three main issues.

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