Intervening Acts

Question 1

What are the main Causation Issues?

Answer 1

• Victim’s own actions / Escape attempts
• Bad medical treatment
• Victim doesn’t seek treatment
• Acts of a third party
• Life support machine switched off
• Thin skull rule

Question 2

Escape attempts case and rule

Answer 2

Roberts - No break in the chain of causation if the victims actions are reasonable and foreseeable

Question 3

Bad medical treatment case and rule

Answer 3

Cheshire - No break in the chain of causation if original injuries are still an operating and substantial cause.

Question 4

Victim doesn’t seek treatment case and rule

Answer 4

Holland - No break in the chain of causation as the victim is under no obligation to seek medical help.

Question 5

Acts of a third party case and rule

Answer 5

Pagett - No break in the chain of causation as the defendant has made a contribution to the result.

Question 6

Life support machine switched off case and rule

Answer 6

Malcherick and Steele - No break in chain

Question 7

Thin skull rule case and rule

Answer 7

Blaue - No break in chain of causation because the defendant must take their victim as they find them.