Rate My Professor Claire McDiarmid

McDiarmid's research specializations encompass criminal law generally, with particular focus on Scots criminal law, children who offend—examining the legal system's responses, the child’s criminal capacity, the age of criminal responsibility, the Scottish children’s hearings system, and the concept of childhood and crime—as well as the law of homicide. Key publications include her monograph Childhood and Crime (Dundee University Press, 2007), which addresses the criminal justice system's treatment of child offenders; Criminal Law Essentials (Dundee University Press, 2010); and Scottish Criminal Law Essentials. Notable articles comprise 'Children who murder: what is Her Majesty's pleasure?' (2000), 'Age of criminal responsibility: raise it or remove it?' (2001), 'Something wicked this way comes: the mens rea of murder in Scots law' (2012), 'An age of complexity: children and criminal responsibility in law' (2013), 'After the age of criminal responsibility: a defence for children who offend' (2016), and 'Between accidental killing and murder: culpable homicide' (2023). She co-authored Scots Criminal Law: A Critical Analysis with Pamela R. Ferguson. Her teaching aligns with these research interests, underscoring her expertise in criminal law.