MRCPsych Part B Exam Revision Guide

Revise with us to pass your MRCPsych Part B Exam with our comprehensive guide that includes over 220 best answer MCQs and over 50 extended matching questions. Focus on the core areas and maximize your revision time with our high-quality questions and detailed explanations.

Demo Question: Court Report on a 25-year-old Patient

You are asked to prepare a Court report on a 25-year-old patient with a mild learning disability who has allegedly committed an act of arson being reckless. Counsel asks you to comment on whether the patient is ‘mute of malice’. Which of the following best describes the term ‘mute of malice’?

1. The defendant is unable to speak due to some physical or psychological defect
2. The defendant meant no harm through his actions
3. The defendant is wilfully choosing not to speak
4. The defendant suffers from a disease of the mind
5. The defendant would not have known that his actions were legally wrong

Key Learning Point: Mute of Malice

Mute of malice refers to a defendant who wilfully chooses not to speak. This term is one of three special pleas in the UK, the others being autrefois acquit and autrefois convict (previously acquitted and previously convicted respectively). In cases where the defendant is suspected of being mute of malice, a pre-trial hearing will take place to determine the matter. If they are found to be so, a not guilty plea may subsequently be entered on the defendant’s behalf.

Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) and the McNaughton Rules

Knowing whether one’s actions are legally wrong, and suffering from a disease of the mind, relate to the defence of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI), the McNaughton Rules. This is defined as the defendant showing a ‘defect of reason, caused by disease of the mind, so as not to know the nature of the act, or if they did know it to not know that it was (legally) wrong.’ If the defendant was not intending to harm others then this may be considered by the specific charge (e.g. arson with intent to endanger life vs arson being reckless as to whether life is endangered).