What is one requirement needed for the defence of abandonment in party offences?

For the defense of abandonment in party offences, timely communication of abandonment is required to effectively demonstrate that the individual has withdrawn from the criminal venture. This means that the person must not only decide to abandon their participation but also must communicate this decision clearly and within a reasonable timeframe to others involved in the crime. This timely communication ensures that the individual is not perceived as continuing to support or encourage the criminal act, thereby potentially shielding them from liability for any subsequent actions taken by the group.

Establishing this requirement is critical in criminal law, as it underscores the importance of intention and communication in determining liability. If abandonment is not timely communicated, it may weaken the defense argument that the individual had genuinely dissociated from the criminal enterprise.