Criminal- Causation

Question 0

Legal causation

Answer 0

Prove a chain of causation

D contributed to the outcome in a more than minimal way (Smith)

Question 1

Factual causation

Answer 1

But for D’s actions would V have been injured or killed?
White
But for the D’s actions the mum would’ve died anyways so D isn’t the factua cause of her death

Question 2

No intervening factors

Answer 2

D’s actions are the operating and substantial cause (Smith)

Question 3

Actions of a 3rd party

Answer 3

General rule- actions don’t break the chain(Smith)

Only in the most extraordinary circumstances will this happen (Cheshire)

Question 4

Actions of the victim

Answer 4

General rule- don’t break the chain as long as they are reasonable under the circumstances
Roberts, her leaping from the car was reasonable when she feared D

Question 5

Thin skull rule

Answer 5

D must take V as e finds them. Meaning any conditions will not break the chain
Blaue, refusing the transfusion didn’t break the chain

Question 6

Unpredictable natural event

Answer 6

Chain will not be broken therefore D is not the operating and substantial cause of the death or injury