Battery Flashcards
What is a battery
the actual infliction of unlawful force on another person
Ingredients of a battery
act, force, intentional, direct and immediate and unlawful
Which case indicates that a positive act is required rather than an omission
Innes v Wylie, there was a police officer standing in a door way and stopping people getting out of the door, in trying to get out of the door C ran into him. C sued the police officer for battery because he had applied force to them. The Court rejected this. They held the D must act to apply force, simply standing still and letting people run into you is not a battery. You must positively act, not fail to act. There is no duty in battery to get out of people’s way.
What was held in Fagan v MPC
A police officer stood at the side of the road and flagged in a car to search. The driver ran over the police officers foot, leaving the tyre on the officer’s foot. There is no battery at this point- there is no intention. The police officer asks him to move, which he refuses to do. Charged with assault of a police officer in the execution of his duty. Must show assault or battery. Battery needs intentional application of force. He argued he omitted to move his car. Court held it was a continuing act and the intentionality was there for the part of the act he failed to move, hence could be liable. If you apply force, told of it and refuse to then remove that force.
What degree of force is required
the degree of force is irrelevant
What did Cole v Turner say about the degree of force required
the least touching in anger is a battery
What did F v West Berkshire AHA say about the degree of force required
‘Any touching of another’s body is, in the absence of lawful excuse, capable of amounting to a battery.’
Which case did spitting amount to a battery
R v Cotesworth
In which case was it held that a hair rinse would amount to a battery
Nash v Sheen
In which case did cutting hair amount to a battery
DPP v Smith
In which case was having blood removed a battery
S v McC
In which case was it said that an unwanted kiss may be a battery although the D’s intention may be most amicable
R v CC of Devon and Cornwall, ex p Central Electricity Gaming Board
What intention is required
The act of force must be voluntary; the D does not need to intend the consequences of his actions. But, he will be liable for all the consequences flowing from that tort regardless of whether they are foreseeable or not.
Case that held move is irrelevant
Fagan v MPC
Where was the rule of transferred intent set out
James v Campbell, ‘if one of two persons fighting unintentionally strikes a third, he is answerable in an action for an assault, and the absence of intention can only be urged in mitigation of damages.’