Summary
The Accessories and Abettors Act 1861 provides that anyone who aids, abets, counsels, or procures the commission of an indictable offence is liable to be tried and punished as a principal offender. Section 8 is one of the most cited provisions in criminal law.
Key Points
- Section 8 — aiding, abetting, counselling, or procuring an indictable offence makes the secondary party liable as a principal
- Extended to summary offences by Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 s.44
- No separate sentence for secondary participation — same maximum as principal offence
- Interpreted extensively by case law (R v Jogee [2016] redefining mental element)