First degree murder and complicity—conditions for

parity of culpability between principal and accomplice

Robert Sullivan

Crim Law and Philos   Published online: 10 February 2007

Abstract ：

The Law Commission for England and Wales has published for consultation a proposal for an offence of first degree murder. A person found guilty of this offence whether as a principal or an accomplice will receive a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. It is argued that the conditions for liability as an accomplice put forward by the Commission do not fulfil the Commission’s aspiration for a ‘‘parity of culpability’’ between principals and accomplices. The discussion has general implications for the reform of complicity laws.

Keywords ：First degree murder Complicity in first degree murder    Responsibility Culpability Guilt