Since the publication of the last edition of this book in 2010, the criminal appellate courts have been busy, as evidenced by the numerous recent decisions referred to. In total, around 100 cases have been added to the text some of them are listed overleaf. Provisions from four pieces of legislation have also been incorporated. It follows from these developments, in particular the case law, that there are considerable changes in the text. No chapter has been unaff ected. As with previous editions, this book is designed for use on undergraduate degree courses, graduate diploma in law courses and similar courses. I have continued the practice of end-of-chapter further reading lists. Th ese contain recommended reading of a general nature about the contents of each chapter. Further reading in respect of particular cases or specifi c points still appears in the footnotes in each chapter. I wish to thank all those who have assisted me in various ways. In particular, I would like to thank my wife, Rachel, for her assistance with the manuscript, John Carroll, Heather Smyth, Elissa Connor and Carolyn Fox for their help in the production of the book, and the publishers for compiling tables of cases and statutes and the index. For such imperfections that remain, I am solely responsible. I have tried to summarise and explain the law as it was reported on 16 December 2011.

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