Criminal Law

Teacher(s)

Moreau Thierry; Vandermeersch Damien;

Language

French

Main themes

The course first analyses the definitions and processes of criminal law, and its relations with other branches of law (at national, international and European level). The emphasis is put on the sources of criminal law, their interpretation, and the application of criminal statutes in space and time. The course also covers the classifications of offences, their conditions (legal element, actus reus, mens rea) and the agents. The foundations, characteristics, objectives, types and delivery of penalties are examined. Security measures and the civil consequences of offences are analysed. An introduction to armed conflict law and humanitarian law is also given. Possible reforms and relevant aspects of comparative law are considered. The course consists of lectures completed, where necessary, by other teaching methods. The syllabus should be available to the students at the beginning of the term. Compulsory sessions of practical training (12 hours) provide the students with the opportunity to develop a practical approach of the subjects taught. These sessions are prepared by the students, whose performances are evaluated by an assistant. Together with the head of the department, the teacher sees that the practical training and the lectures are coherent and well connected, including with respect to the evaluation.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	At the end of this course, students will know the rules of Belgian criminal law and will be able to apply them to concrete cases. They will have developed a critical and reflective approach to the questions that arise in society and the answers given by the criminal law. They will have a knowledge of human rights and will be familiar with the relationships between criminal law and other branches of law. They will also have some knowledge of comparative law.

Content

This course is about general criminal law. It consists of three parts: the offence, the perpetrator and the sentence.

Teaching methods

Each class is preceded by a preparation work to be submitted on moodle the day before the class.
One of these preparations will be drawn at random during the last class and will constitute a question for the exam.
During the face-to-face classes, the focus is on the students' questions following their preparation work, on the most complicated aspects of the subject and on case studies in order to put into practice the theory studied during the preparation.
Interactivity between teachers and students is essential to make the course as interesting as it is enjoyable.

Evaluation methods

The exam consists of three parts for students who also take the practical exercises:
- One of the preparations made by the student before the face-to-face course which is drawn during the last class
- An exercise question of the type done during the practical sessions
- A written exam
For students who do not take the practical exercises, the exam does not include a question related to the practical exercises, which is replaced by an additional question related to the lecture.
During the face-to-face classes, the focus is on the students' questions following their preparation work, on the most complicated aspects of the subject and on case studies in order to put into practice the theory studied during the preparation.

Online resources

A book serves as the main support. It is updated every year and the student is encouraged to acquire the latest version as the material is very changeable.
The book is the following: Th. Moreau and D. Vandermeersch, Eléments de droit pénal published by La Charte.
In addition, ppt's are available on moodle.

Teaching materials

• Th. Moreau et D. Vandermeersch, Eléments de droit pénal publié chez La Charte. Le livre est mis à jour chaque année. Prendre la version la plus récente

Faculty or entity

BUDR