The aim of this paper is the development of a method to predict interfacial failure in adhesive joints. The main originality of the paper resides on the application of a twofold criterion involving stress and energy conditions simultaneously to predict adhesive failure onset in different geometries of adhesive joints subjected to diverse loadings. Butt joints and double lap joints made of linear elastic materials are tested in torsion and tension. The failure onset predictions are based on finite element calculations and a twofold criterion which considers a novel stress condition. These predictions are accurate and prove the validity of the method to predict adhesive failure for different adhesive joint configurations and loadings.