(DISCLAIMER: I cannot remember the exact questions so these are rough ideas. I have not included all content and other things could be credited. What I have written I said in the exam is not necessarily right but I thought I would write it down to help remind me when results day comes nearer. Some of this has been extracted from previous mark schemes.)
Scenario's:
John saw his ex, Pia with Gordon. John had criminal convictions and Pia had told Gordon that he was dangerous. John approached them and started shouting and accused Gordon of stealing his girlfriend. Gordon was frightened.
John pushed Gordon roughly, who then staggered into Pia who fell over the kerb and sprained her ankle. John walked away laughing.
Raza's garage was near Debbie's house and Raza fitted some wheels on Martin's car. Martin then drove by Debbie's house where one of the wheels fell off and hit Debbie's greenhouse and cut her. Debbie was told her claim for the injuries was £2000. Repairs for green house were under £400 and Martin's car repairs was £600.
I put s47 oap 1861 is that correct for the criminal questions
CRIMINAL
1) Explain the meaning of the term 'causation' in criminal law. [8 marks].
Potential Content (A)
Explanation of the meaning of causation.
Factual causation – “but for” test and explanation, case used to illustrate, eg White, Pagett
Legal causation - this can include:
Significant contribution / substantial and operating cause eg Cheshire, Smith novus actus interveniens: cases/examples to illustrate, eg medical negligence, eg Smith, Jordan, Cheshire
contribution of others, eg Benge
victims own contribution, eg Roberts, Williams
take your victim as you find him, eg Blaue, Hayward
For Sound both factual and legal causation must be dealt with. Max 4 for factual causation only.
2) Explain the meaning of indirect (oblique intent) and transferred malice (8 marks)
oblique intent (where the consequence is virtually certain, and the defendant goes ahead with his actions knowing that is the case + example, e.g. Woollin)
Transferred malice: meaning - mens rea directed toward one person is transferred to the victim
an understanding that the rule operates from person to person or object to object, but not object to person or vice versa discussion of malice to be transferred. cases and/or examples in support, eg Latimer, Mitchell, Pembliton
3) Outline and application of battery and assault
If someone can remember the scenario I can write an answer but here is the general principles.
Battery = Application of unlawful force with a lack of significant injury.
AR: Force ( in the scenario it was pushing) - Thomas. Unlawful - Collins v Wilcock.
MR: Direct intent or reckless. I did direct intent in the scenario as he pushed V "roughly". - Mohan/Cunningham
Assault = causing the apprehension of unlawful immediate personal violence.
AR: Positive act (in the scenario it was shouting) Ireland/Constanza
Apprehension (Frightened in the scenario). Unlawful. Immediate (went up to him). Causation present.
MR: Intent or reckless. I did reckless. Cunningham/Mohan.
= 6 months imprisonment or £5000 fine under s39 CJA 1988.
4) Outline ABH and apply it.
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
AR: Battery proven first. Force = push. Unlawful. Could be indirect. MR for battery was direct intent/reckless and transfers to Pia through transferred malice - Latimer/Mitchell. Causation present. ABH "sprained ankle" more than trivial Chan fook.
MR: No further MR needed.
= 5 years imprisonment. s47 OAPA 1861.
5) pre-trial procedure to summary offences.
Bail/legal aid applied for. First appearance at Mag's Court represented by a duty solicitor. Enter plea. Guilty = sentenced or pre-sentence report. Not guilty = pre trial review and summary trial at a later date at the MAgs court.
6) Types of sentences
Custodial (immediate or suspended term of imprisonment)
Community – eg carry out between 40 and 300 hours unpaid work as 'Community Payback' etc
Financial – fine and/or compensation order
Conditional or absolute discharge
TORT
1) Proximity and fair just and reasonableness.
is there proximity by space, time or relationship between claimant and defendant? Explained through cases such as Bourhill v Young, McLoughlin v O'Brien.
is it fair, just and reasonable to impose a duty of care? Explained through cases such as Hill v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire, Mitchell v Glasgow City Council.
2) Outline 2 risk factors of your choice.
Brief explanation with cases of the meaning of any one risk factor and the effect that has on the standard of care, eg:
special characteristics of the claimant – if known to the defendant to be more vulnerable, then higher standard expected – explained through a case such as Paris v Stepney BC
the size of the risk – the reasonable man does not take care against minute risks, but does against big risks – explained through a case such as Bolton v Stone
practical precautions – taking reasonable but not excessive precautions – explained through a case such as Latimer v AEC
the benefits of taking the risk – emergencies and public utility – explained through a case such as Watt v Herts CC
3) Res ipsa loquitur applied for both claims towards Raza and Martin(thanks Chichaldo)
Brief explanation and application of the principle. This can include:
recognition that proof of breach of duty normally rests with the claimant
definition of res ipsa loquitur (the facts speak for themselves)
res ipsa loquitur involves an obvious case of negligence
description of test:
the thing that causes the harm was wholly under the control of the defendant the accident would not have happened unless someone had been negligent there is no other explanation of the injury caused to the claimant.
burden of proof shifts to the defendant. cases in support, eg Byrne v Boadle, Pearson v NW Gas Board, Mahon v Osborne, Scott v London and St Katherine’s Docks
application to scenario I said Raza was in control as he fit the wheels, it was due to negligence as he fit the wheels and there was no other explanation so RIL applied. I said Michael was not in control of the wheel, it was not his negligence and the other explanation was Raza not fitting the wheel properly. So RIL applied to Raza but not to Martin.
4) Damage and remoteness application
Brief explanation of factual causation – but for the defendant's breach of duty, the consequence would not have occurred, e.g. Barnett v Chelsea & Kensington Hospital
brief explanation of the meaning of remoteness of damage – reasonable foreseeability test, e.g. The Wagon Mound
explanation of the effect that the kind of damage/method of damage has on remoteness, e.g. Doughty v Turner Manufacturing, Hughes v Lord Advocate, Bradford v Robinson Rentals.
I said factual causation was present for both.
I said the damage to Debbie's greenhouse and her injuries were foreseeable as a result of a wheel coming off the car and Martin's car repairs were forseeable so not too remote. I said despite the method of damage being unusual it is still forseeable.
5)Outline the three-track case management system used in the civil courts and identify which track and which court would be used in any claim that Debbie could make against Raza
Outline of tracks (small claims, fast and multi) + financial limits – Civil Procedure Act 1997
Identification with respect to Debbie's claim, fast track for entire loss, (as over £1000 personal injury, but not likely to be complex), so in County Court.
6) Outline how a court calculates an award of damages and briefly explain how the court would calculate an award of damages to Debbie and Martin.
Outline explanation of the calculation of damages: general and special damages; pecuniary and non-pecuniary heads of damage (damage to property + expenses incurred, loss of future earnings, loss of amenity, pain and suffering, ‘tariff’ award based on the injury itself) mitigation structure of awards (lump sum or structured settlement).
I said Debbie would receive general damages for any medical expenses which is pecuniary losses and for pain,suffering and loss of amenity as a result of her cut which is non-pecuniary. I said both Debbie and Martin would receive special damages for the damage to their property (greenhouse and car). I said they would both receive the damages in a lump sum as it is a small amount under the damages act 1996. They are both expected to mitigate their losses.
If anyone has any edits or there are any errors please let me know and I will change it.
Sorry people who do contract!! Maybe someone can PM a mark scheme for this.
Thanks for all the rep!!!