‘I Didn’t Mean It’: How Scots Criminal Law Decides Intent

Would you like to explore the foundations of Scots criminal law. For example, what does it really mean to intend something in Scots criminal law? In this digital explainer, Scots Law Talks guides you through how intention is actually understood and judged in Scotland, using real cases that show why legal outcomes don’t always match public expectation. This explainer explores: What a “guilty mind” means in Scots law The difference between murder and culpable homicide Why saying “it was a joke” is rarely a defence How courts deal with motive and impossible attempts Drawing on landmark Scottish cases including Rutherford, Quinn, and Doherty, this case-based explainer offers clear, accessible insight into how Scots criminal law really works. You’ll be asked to create a simple login so you can return to the explainer at any time. 60 minutes | On-demand access | No legal knowledge required Content notice: This digital explainer discusses serious criminal offences, including murder, and contains brief references to injury.