CDE Publishing is excited to introduce a book that will help legal professionals understand the complex world of justifications, excuses and other forms of defence. Introducing Professor Sankoff’s Guide to Criminal Defences – a comprehensive resource written by Professor Peter Sankoff. Within the pages of this carefully crafted resource, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the defences relied upon to avoid convictions in criminal cases. From self-defence to necessity, alibi to mental disorder, Professor Sankoff provides clear explanations and practical insights that will enhance your understanding & application of these concepts.

The book opens by looking at the role defences play in the criminal justice system, what it means to “raise a defence”, the origin of defences, and a look at the conceptual underpinnings of justifications and excuses. After examining the burden of proof, Professor Sankoff analyzes the most significant “non-defence” defences, including mistake, accident, consent and alibi. From there, he addresses a variety of procedural defences, before turning to chapters on mental disorder, automatism and intoxication. The book finishes with detailed coverage of general defences like defence of person and duress, and qualified defences such as provocation.

The second edition (e-book) was released in February 2026, and contains current cases to the end of 2025.