Parties to a crime

I. Basics

1. If two persons act jointly, they are both principals - actual participation (25 II).

2. Active connivance or active assistance in preparation - 'aiding and abetting' - the aider or abettor will be treated like the principal, except that technically he is not a 'principal' criminal.

3. Subsequent assistence or concealment of knowledge after (!) the crime has been committed - there will be no crime,
unless the crime constitutes an 'arresstable offence'.


II. Aiders and abettors

1. An abettor may sometimes be guilty of the offence while his principal is not (25 I 2).

2. An aider or abettor need not know the exact nature of the crime committed by the principal provided that he did know that the latter intended to commit a crime of a similar kind.
DPP FOR NORTHERN IRELAND v. MAXWELL (1978)


III. Treason

1. Active connivance at the scene or assitance in preparation - the person will actually be a principal to the crime of
treason.

2. Failure to disclose knowledge afterwards - this will constitute the crime of 'misprision'.