VI Attempt as a Special Form of Individual Criminal Responsibility

This chapter first explains why attempt – an incomplete offence lacking the fulfilment of the actus reus of the respective crime – should be punishable at all and whether/how it is punishable under International Criminal Law. This chapter develops the essential elements of attempt liability on the basis of comparative law with a view to most important national legal systems . It analyses in detail the provision in the Rome Statute and proposes a ‘formula of approximation’ with regard to ‘commencement of execution’ stage (that is the moment of punishability) of attempt. It then applies this attempt formular to the international core crimes. Last but not least, abandonment of attempt is also discussed.