The book "Criminal Law of Fiji" by Eric Colvin is an interpretive text that provides a concise analysis of the elements of major offenses and defenses in Fijian criminal law. Here is a comprehensive overview of the book:

Key Themes

1. Sources of Criminal Law: The book begins by examining the sources of criminal law in Fiji, which includes both domestic and international influences.
2. Offences and Their Proof: It delves into the physical and fault elements required to prove various offenses, such as murder, assaults, and property offenses.
3. Specific Offences: The text provides detailed analysis of specific offenses like murder and manslaughter, assaults, sexual coercion, and drug offenses.
4. Defences: It covers justifications and excuses, mental impairment, and intoxication as potential defenses in criminal cases.
5. Participation in Crime: The book discusses inchoate liability, secondary liability, and the capacity to commit offenses, including children and corporations.
6. Criminal Procedure: It explores police powers, charges, trial proceedings, verdicts, and appeals.
7. Sentencing: The text examines the sentencing process and principles in Fiji, including the factors considered by the courts.

Plot Summary

The book is structured into several parts:

• Part 1: Introductory Matters - Sources of criminal law in Fiji.
• Part 2: General Elements of Offences - Physical and fault elements.
• Part 3: Specific Offences - Detailed analysis of major offenses.
• Part 4: Defences - Examination of justifications, excuses, mental impairment, and intoxication.
• Part 5: Participation in Crime - Inchoate liability, secondary liability, and capacity to commit offenses.
• Part 6: Criminal Procedure - Police powers, charges, trial proceedings, verdicts, and appeals.
• Part 7: Sentences - Sentencing process and principles.

Critical Reception

While specific reviews are not provided in the sources, the book is part of a trilogy examining the criminal law of Pacific Island jurisdictions. The trilogy is designed primarily as a set of texts for students taking Criminal Law as part of a LLB course, indicating its utility in academic settings. The texts grew out of the experience of teaching Criminal Law at The University of the South Pacific and have been endorsed by Justice Gustavus Andree Wiltens of the Vanuatu Supreme Court, who provided valuable feedback on the chapters on procedure and sentencing.

Publication Details

• Author: Eric Colvin
• Publication Date: 2023
• Publisher: Not explicitly stated, but part of a trilogy published by LexisNexis in 2017 and other publishers for subsequent volumes.
• Copyright Status: In Copyright, allowing copying under certain circumstances for research or study.

Overall, "Criminal Law of Fiji" by Eric Colvin is a comprehensive resource for understanding the intricacies of Fijian criminal law, making it a valuable tool for legal professionals, students, and scholars in the field.