Case establishing that actus reus can be satisfied by an omission where there is a legal duty to act. The defendant's failure to fulfil a statutory duty constituted the physical element of the offence.

An important case on unlawful act manslaughter where the Court of Appeal quashed a conviction because the defendant's act was not unlawful when he lacked mens rea for assault.

House of Lords case on the mens rea for murder, establishing that foresight of serious bodily harm as a highly probable consequence can constitute malice aforethought.

A foundational case establishing the test for gross negligence manslaughter, requiring negligence so gross that it amounts to a crime and merits criminal punishment rather than mere civil liability.

Established that a continuing act can satisfy the actus reus and mens rea requirements for assault, even if formed at different times. The defendant accidentally drove onto a police officer's foot but then refused to move when asked.

The House of Lords established the fundamental principles governing intoxication as a defence in criminal law, distinguishing between crimes of specific and basic intent and setting rules for when intoxication can negate mens rea.

R v Vickers established that an intention to cause grievous bodily harm is sufficient mens rea for murder, even if the defendant did not specifically intend to kill. The case arose when Vickers struck an elderly shopkeeper during a burglary, causing her death, though he claimed no intention to kill.

This Supreme Court case established a new test for dishonesty in criminal law, overruling the subjective element of the Ghosh test. The case arose from a professional gambler's civil claim against a casino after being accused of cheating at baccarat through edge-sorting.

Defined the mens rea requirement for s.20 grievous bodily harm, establishing that the defendant need only intend or foresee some harm, not necessarily serious harm. The case clarified the distinction between s.18 and s.20 offences.

Cunningham establishes subjective test for malice in criminal law

R v Ghosh established the test for dishonesty in criminal law, requiring both objective and subjective elements. The case created a two-stage test that was fundamental to determining dishonesty in fraud and theft cases until the Supreme Court replaced its subjective second limb with a wholly objective test in Ivey v Genting Casinos [2017] UKSC 67.

Unlawful act manslaughter requires no foresight of harm by defendant

This case established the fundamental test for the insanity defence in English criminal law. The defendant shot the Prime Minister's secretary believing he was being persecuted by the government.

A key case establishing the limitations of transferred malice where the type of harm differs from that intended. The defendant threw a stone intending to hit people but broke a window instead.

Recklessness includes failing to consider obvious risks that would be apparent to reasonable person.

House of Lords clarifies test for intention in murder cases

A Victorian case where a man deceived a woman into having sexual intercourse by pretending it was a medical procedure. The court held that deception as to the nature of the act vitiates consent.

Two shipwrecked sailors killed and ate their teenage cabin boy to survive at sea, then were charged with murder upon rescue. The court rejected the defence of necessity, establishing that necessity cannot justify taking an innocent life.

R v Latimer established the doctrine of transferred malice in criminal law, where a defendant's intention to harm one person can be transferred to make them liable for actually harming another person. This case is fundamental to understanding how criminal intent operates when the actual victim differs from the intended victim.

Specific intent requires decision to bring about the prohibited consequence as means or end.

R v Pittwood established that a person can be criminally liable for omissions where they have undertaken a duty of care. A railway gatekeeper who failed to close level crossing gates, resulting in a fatal collision, was convicted of manslaughter despite not having actively caused the death.

A person intends the natural and probable consequences of their acts.

R v White established that causation in criminal law requires the defendant's act to be a factual cause of the prohibited result. White attempted to poison his mother but she died of a heart attack before the poison could take effect, breaking the chain of causation and resulting in conviction only for attempt.

House of Lords establishes liability for omission after creating dangerous situation

R v Gibbins and Proctor established that a person can be criminally liable for murder by omission where they have a duty to act but fail to do so. The case involved a father and his partner who failed to feed the father's child, resulting in the child's death from starvation.

House of Lords clarifies intent requirements for assault causing bodily harm

Woolmington v DPP established the fundamental principle that the prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt in criminal cases. The case overturned the previous rule that required defendants to prove their innocence when claiming self-defence in murder cases.

Steane, a British actor, made propaganda broadcasts for Germany during WWII to protect his family from a concentration camp. The Court of Appeal held that for the offence of doing acts likely to assist the enemy with intent to assist the enemy, the prosecution must prove the accused intended to assist the enemy, not merely that he intended to do the acts.

Court of Appeal establishes 'virtual certainty' test for criminal intention

Voluntary intoxication no defence to crimes of basic intent

Confirmed that assault can be committed by indirect means and without the defendant being present. A schoolboy placed acid in a hand dryer which injured another pupil who used it.

Reckless criminal damage requires risk to property beyond the damaging instrument itself.

A police officer witnessed a violent assault outside a nightclub but failed to intervene or summon assistance, instead leaving the scene. The Court of Appeal held that wilful neglect of duty by omitting to act can constitute the common law offence of misconduct in public office.

Foresight of virtual certainty is evidence of intention, not intention itself in murder.

House of Lords abandons objective recklessness test in landmark criminal law ruling

The defendant was charged with robbery and assault. She raised the defence that she was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a rape three days earlier, which caused her to act in a dissociative state without mens rea. The court accepted that PTSD could negative the mens rea required for the offences if it caused such a state.

Court establishes objective test for dangerous unlawful act in manslaughter cases

Gammon contracted to build a building in Hong Kong but deviated from approved plans in material respects, breaching building regulations. The Privy Council addressed when mens rea is required for statutory offences, establishing a presumption favouring mens rea that can be displaced only in limited circumstances for regulatory offences of genuine public concern.

House of Lords sets definitive test for gross negligence manslaughter

A landlady was convicted under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1965 for being concerned in the management of premises used for smoking cannabis, without knowledge of the illegal activities. The House of Lords quashed the conviction, holding that mens rea is presumed necessary for statutory offences absent clear contrary intention.

Defendant liable when reasonably foreseeable that vulnerable victim could suffer harm

Foresight of consequences is evidence of intention, not intention itself.

A leading case on transferred malice where the defendant's intention to harm one person resulted in harm to another. The Court of Appeal confirmed that malice can transfer from the intended victim to the actual victim.

Hidden vulnerabilities don't make unlawful act dangerous if unforeseeable to reasonable person

House of Lords establishes 'virtual certainty' test for oblique intention in murder

Strict liability offence under Medicines Act 1968 requires no mens rea for unlawful supply

Involuntary intoxication no defence if criminal intent still formed