United Kingdom Leading Case burden of proofpresumption of innocencebeyond reasonable doubt

Woolmington v DPP

[1935] UKHL 1; [1935] AC 462

JurisdictionUnited Kingdom

CourtHouse of Lords

Year1935

StatusBinding authority

Key Principle

The prosecution bears the burden of proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt throughout — the 'golden thread' of English criminal law — subject only to the insanity defence and express statutory exceptions.

Area of Law

Criminal Law, Procedure & Evidence

Related Cases

R v G and R [2003] UKHL 50; [2004] 1 AC 1034

R v Looseley; Attorney General's Reference (No 3 of 2000) [2001] UKHL 53; [2001] 1 WLR 2060

R v Howe [1987] UKHL 17; [1987] AC 417

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