THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THE CONCEPT OF STRICT LIABILITY OFFENCES

This paper undertakes to examine the philosophy underlying the concept of Strict liability offences. This will be done. by first examining the position of the law on the offence under common law and, this will be followed by examining the various techniques adopted by courts to impute strict liability into a penal section, where the legislative intention is not clear. Factors, which weigh on the court to imply strict liability in this regard, will also be examined.