History of English criminal law

English law did not originally make a distinction between criminal and civil proceedings.

The first signs of the modern distinction between crimes and civil matters emerged during the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The earliest criminal trials had very little, if any, settled law to apply. However, the civil delictual law was highly developed and consistent in its operation (except where the King wanted to raise money by selling a new form of Writ).

The development of the "State" dispensing justice in a court only emerged parallel to or after the emergence of the concept of sovereignty. It was only in the 18th century that European countries began operating police forces. From this point, criminal law had the mechanisms for enforcement, which allowed for its development as a credible and self-sufficient entity.

See also criminal libel for general information about the common law libel offences listed above.

See forgery:

See personation:

(Both repealed by the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005)

See cheating:

See Cruelty to animals#United Kingdom and Environmental crime

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