A comprehensive, engaging, and exam-focused PowerPoint covering Attempt as a key preliminary (inchoate) offence in Criminal Law. Ideal for WJEC A Level Law Unit 3 and Unit 4, but easily adaptable for AQA, OCR, Eduqas, and other law courses.

This lesson provides students with a detailed understanding of the law relating to criminal attempts, including the requirements of actus reus and mens rea, the meaning of “more than merely preparatory”, impossible attempts, and the policy reasons for criminalising conduct before a substantive offence is completed. Extensive AO3 evaluation is included throughout to develop higher-level analytical skills.

Topics covered include:

• Introduction to inchoate offences
• Criminal Attempts Act 1981
• Actus reus of attempt
• The meaning of “more than merely preparatory”
• Mens rea of attempt
• Conditional intent
• Impossible attempts
• Key cases including Gullefer, Geddes, Boyle and Boyle, Jones, Whybrow, Easom, A-G’s Ref (Nos 1 & 2 of 1979) and Shivpuri
• Application scenarios and exam-style examples
• Extensive AO3 evaluation and Unit 4 discussion points throughout

The lesson balances clear legal knowledge with critical analysis, exploring debates such as:

• Whether the law intervenes too early or too late
• The difficulties surrounding “more than merely preparatory”
• The fairness of criminalising impossible attempts
• The “murder paradox” in attempted murder
• Whether current law provides sufficient certainty and consistency
• Proposals for reform and codification

Perfect for:

• A Level Law teachers
• Unit 3 and Unit 4 preparation
• Revision lessons
• Independent student study
• New teachers and non-specialists

Includes detailed, user-friendly teacher notes throughout the PowerPoint, making the lesson particularly suitable for non-specialists, trainee teachers, or anyone teaching the topic for the first time.

A highly detailed and exam-focused lesson designed to build strong knowledge of criminal attempts while developing the AO3 evaluation skills essential for success in A Level Law examinations.