More than any other defence in the criminal law, the insanity defence has, and continues to be, the subject of heated debate. Yet too little is known about how the insanity defence operates in different jurisdictions, including in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In this book, Mackay and Brookbanks, and their team of expert contributors, explore the theory and practice around the insanity defence and analyse its diverse influence and manifestations across a wide range of common law and civil law jurisdictions. Typically, the insanity defence, as exemplified in the M'Naghten Rules, represents a foundational aspect of criminal responsibility, although in some jurisdictions it serves only to define degrees of mental capacity. However, what all jurisdictions have in common is the high and increasing incidence of mental illness and impairment challenging existing constructions of an exculpatory rule. This book explores in detail the origins and operation of the M'Naghten Rules as well as the eclectic nature of the insanity defence, its highly variable linguistic expression, and the diverse social policy mandates it seeks to embrace. The Insanity Defence will reinvigorate the debate about the defence by discussing both its theoretical basis and exploring how different jurisdictions approach the insanity plea, not only in relation to an appropriate test and how it operates, but also from the perspective of disposal and how those who use the insanity defence successfully are dealt with. This book will be of interest to researchers, academics, and advanced students with an interest in criminal law internationally, as well as to those involved in the development of policy and legislation.

About the Author
Ronnie Mackay, Professor of Criminal Policy and Mental Health, Leicester De Montfort Law School, De Montfort University, UK. Warren Brookbanks, Professor of Criminal Law and Justice Studies, Director of the Centre for Non-Adversarial Justice at Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.

Reviews
This is an illuminating collection of essays on the insanity defence, covering a variety of jurisdictions, mainly in the Anglo American common law world, but some in the civil, as well as the international criminal court and tribunals. It brings out for discussion the different approaches and many dilemmas posed to our notions of criminal responsibility when a defendant is seriously mentally disordered. It makes a strong case for reform of the law in England and Wales. It is essential reading for anyone with an interest in mental health law, whether as lawyers, psychiatrists or for any other reason. * Rt Hon the Baroness Hale of Richmond, formerly President, Supreme Court of the United Kingdom *
The Insanity Defence: International and Comparative Perspectives is an excellent resource. The variety of substantive and procedural standards discussed here should spur reflection and debate on the future direction of the defense. The granular detail on countries' approaches to vexing, common problems could assist in the development of policy. I hope Mackay and Brookbanks will commission a second volume to expand our knowledge of other jurisdictions. * Lea Johnston, Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Books *
The Insanity Defence: International and Comparative Perspectives, a thoughtful compilation edited by Ronnie Mackay and Warren Brookbanks, seeks to expand our conceptual horizons by providing a comparative overview of the insanity defense in a dozen common and civil law jurisdictions. This impressive work, generated by leading scholars around the globe, is a significant contribution to comparative criminal law and no doubt will be a cherished reference for years to come. * Lea Johnston, Professor in University of Florida Research Foundation *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198854944
Author Ronnie Mackay
Format Hardback
Page Count 416
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 772g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 164mm * 28mm