ABSTRACT

Automatism is a notoriously difficult subject for law students, lawyers and judges. This book explores the science and medicine of sleep disorders and examines how the criminal process deals with such disorders when presented as a defence. It systematically examines the legal doctrines involved, and their implications for the use of the evidence key to establishing automatism, while also exploring the medical conditions that can cause automatism (particularly epilepsy, sleepwalking and diabetes). This book is a valuable resource for law students, lawyers, judges and expert witnesses.

chapter 1|13 pages

Automatism

What is it?

chapter 2|27 pages

Legal aspects of automatism

chapter 3|7 pages

Medical aspects of automatism

chapter 4|27 pages

Specific causes of automatism

chapter 5|29 pages

Criminal law theory

chapter 6|30 pages

Expert evidence

chapter 7|4 pages

Commentary and conclusions