SQE Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Preparation Guide

The correct term that refers to the requirement of acting with knowledge of wrongdoing in fraud cases is mens rea. This Latin term translates to "guilty mind" and is a fundamental principle in criminal law, indicating that a person must have a certain level of intent or knowledge of wrongdoing to be held criminally liable for an offense. In the context of fraud, it emphasizes the necessity for the perpetrator to have knowingly engaged in deceptive practices.

Mens rea is crucial as it distinguishes between those who commit acts with intent to deceive and those who may engage in actions that could be misconstrued without the intention of fraud. In fraud cases, demonstrating mens rea can be pivotal in establishing the defendant's culpability, as mere negligence or carelessness is generally insufficient to satisfy the standards for fraud.

The other terms listed do not encapsulate this requirement in the same context. Actus Reus refers to the physical act of the crime, while Dolo Speciale pertains more to specific types of malicious intent in certain legal traditions. Fraudulent Intent is a term that captures the essence of desire to commit fraud but is not as precisely defined within legal framework as mens rea.