Resource

Who’s to Blame? (SmartLaw Subscription)

Students use a historic legal case to explore the question of whether we retain personal responsibility for our actions, even in the most extreme circumstances.

Overview

This activity is based on the case of R v. Dudley and Stephens (1884) – two sailors accused of murdering cabin boy Richard Parker, after being cast adrift on the high seas. The activity is used primarily to explore the question of whether we retain personal responsibility for our actions, even in the most acute…

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The Big Legal Lesson 2026 (ages 5-11)

Join the UK’s biggest legal education campaign during February 2026. To access this content, register for our Primary School Subscription.

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Our Rules

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Who’s to Blame? (SmartLaw Subscription)

This activity is based on the case of R v. Dudley and Stephens (1884) – two sailors accused of...

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Who Owns Your Data?

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Rules

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