Causation

Question 1

R v Pagett

Answer 1

Factual causation. Used for but for test.

Question 2

R v White

Answer 2

White attempted to poison his mother with her tea. She died of a heart attack before the poison took effect. White was not guilty. Used for when ‘but for’ fails.

Question 3

R v Smith

Answer 3

Smith stabbed someone in the back, they died while in care. Used for ‚operative and substantial‘ test

Question 4

R v Blaue

Answer 4

Used to explain thin skull rule

Question 5

Bratty v AG of
Northern
Ireland

Answer 5

An involuntary act is one done by the muscles without control of the mind

Question 6

Hill v Baxter

Answer 6

Three example of an involuntary act are crashing a car if a bee flew into the car and D’s
reflex was to swat it; if D was knocked unconscious by a stone to the head; or D suffered a
seizure or heart attack