Law A-Level
Subjective vs Objective Liability
What Subjective vs Objective Liability means in Law A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definition of Subjective vs Objective Liability
The jurisprudential tension between assessing a defendant's actual state of mind (subjective) versus the standards of a 'reasonable person' (objective), particularly in cases of recklessness and negligence.
Topics that use Subjective vs Objective Liability
- Criminal law (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- Actus reus
- Appropriation
- Dishonesty
- Justification vs Excuse
- Legal Liberalism and Autonomy
- Legislative Reform
- Mens rea
- Public Policy and Consent
Using Subjective vs Objective Liability in the exam
Definition questions usually carry one or two marks, and examiners look for the precise wording. Write the definition from memory, check it against the version above, and then use the term in a longer answer on the same topic so it sticks.
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