Principles of Criminal Law: Actus Reus and Causation

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in principles of criminal law related to actus reus and causation.

Actus Reus

The physical act or omission required to constitute a criminal offense.

Mens Rea

The mental element or state of mind that indicates guilt in a criminal offense.

Strict Liability

Offences that do not require mens rea for conviction.

Result Crimes

Crimes where the conduct must cause a particular result (e.g., murder must result in a death).

Conduct Crimes

Crimes where the conduct itself, along with mens rea, constitutes the offense.

Omissions

Failure to act, which may lead to criminal liability when there is a legal duty to act.

Statutory Duty

Obligations imposed by law that can establish liability for omissions.

Common Law Duty to Act

Legal duties arising from relationships or circumstances that require intervention.

Factual Causation

Determining if D's act/omission directly caused the result (the 'but for' test).

Legal Causation

Establishing that D's conduct was a substantial, blameworthy and operative cause of the result.

Eggshell Skull Rule

The principle that D is liable for the full extent of V's injuries, even if V has a pre-existing condition.

Novus Actus Interveniens

A new intervening act that can break the chain of causation.

Self-defense

A legal justification for the use of force in defense against an imminent threat.

Duty of Care

A legal obligation to ensure the safety or well-being of others, potentially applicable to omissions.

Causation in Law

The legal principle of linking actions and outcomes to define liability.

Malicious Intent

A desire to commit a wrongful act, often a component of mens rea in serious offences.

Indirect Causation

Situations where D's actions caused a result indirectly, establishing complicity in the resulting harm.