A Level Law Practice Exam

What is required for D's conduct to break the chain of causation?

1. Intervening acts that are foreseeable

2. Direct actions resulting from D's negligence

3. Intervening acts that are independent of D's actions

4. Acts performed by D after the crime

The correct answer is: Intervening acts that are independent of D's actions

For a defendant’s conduct to break the chain of causation, it is essential that the intervening acts are independent of the defendant's actions. This means that the new act significantly alters the course of events set in motion by the defendant's original conduct and is not a natural response to or a continuation of that conduct. If the intervening act is independent, it can sever the link between the defendant's actions and the eventual consequence, meaning that the defendant may not be held liable for the outcome. In cases where the intervening act is closely related to the defendant's actions or is a foreseeable result of them, the chain of causation remains intact. For instance, if the actions taken by a third party were a direct and foreseeable response to the defendant's negligence, the defendant could still be held accountable for the outcome. Understanding these principles is crucial in tort law, where establishing liability hinges on proving a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the defendant's conduct and the harm suffered by the claimant.