Deception and Consent Under Section 74 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003: Confirming Need for Clarity

This case review examines Sex Matters v DPP and the legality of CPS guidance on deception and consent under section 74 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. It explores the uncertain boundaries of the close-connection test, the relationship between sections 74 and 76, and the challenges of developing principled and predictable limits on when deception may vitiate consent.