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Mistake of Law

Excusing Perpetrators of International Crimes

  • Book
  • © 2012

Overview

Authors:
  1. Annemieke Verseveld

    1. , Criminal Law Department, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands

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  • Demonstrates that the defense of 'mistake of law' concerns one of the most fundamental principles of criminal law, i.e. 'no punishment without guilt'

  • Contributes to the development of a more systematic approach toward the structure of international offences

  • Contains a comparative law analysis of four major legal systems in the world and an analysis of (inter)national case law concerning the defense of mistake of law and superior orders

  • Academic research, crisp and clear, which makes the book a helpful tool for practitioners in the field of International Criminal Law

  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xiv
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  2. Introduction

    • Annemieke van Verseveld
    Pages 1-7

  3. The Theory of Mistake of Law in National Criminal Law Systems

    • Annemieke van Verseveld
    Pages 9-62

  4. Comparing the National Approaches: Theorising About the Issue

    • Annemieke van Verseveld
    Pages 63-79

  5. The Theory of Mistake of Law in International Criminal Law

    • Annemieke van Verseveld
    Pages 81-100

  6. Applying the Theory of Mistake of Law: An Analysis of (Inter)national Case Law

    • Annemieke van Verseveld
    Pages 101-132

  7. Applying the Theory of Mistake of Law: An Analysis of Elements of Crimes and a Survey of Dilemmas on the Battlefield

    • Annemieke van Verseveld
    Pages 133-166

  8. Concluding Remarks

    • Annemieke van Verseveld
    Pages 167-169

  9. Back Matter

    Pages 171-182
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Keywords

About this book

When a perpetrator of an international crime argues in his defence that he did not realise that he had violated the law, is this a reason not to punish him? International crimes constitute serious offences and it could be argued that he who commits such an offence must know his act is punishable. After all, everyone is presumed to know the law. However, convicting someone who is mistaken about the wrongfulness of his act may be in violation of the principle ‘no punishment without guilt’. This book investigates when 'mistake of law' should be a reason to exculpate the perpetrator of an international crime. It demonstrates that the issue of 'mistake of law' goes to the heart of individual criminal responsibility and therewith contributes to the development of a more systematic approach toward the structure of international offences. Valuable for academics and practitioners in the field of International Criminal Law.

Authors and Affiliations

  • , Criminal Law Department, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Annemieke Verseveld

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