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sally_1912
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#1
Hey all,
I'm confused as to whether this scenario is ABH or GBH. D (lorry driver) is speeding away from the police. A container tumbles off the back of D's lorry and the police officer crashes into it and suffers serious injuries.
I would class this as GBH but apparently ABH equates to serious injuries as well but GBH is more serious. The scenario is vague so I'm not sure.
Thanks
I'm confused as to whether this scenario is ABH or GBH. D (lorry driver) is speeding away from the police. A container tumbles off the back of D's lorry and the police officer crashes into it and suffers serious injuries.
I would class this as GBH but apparently ABH equates to serious injuries as well but GBH is more serious. The scenario is vague so I'm not sure.
Thanks
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sally_1912
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#2
Thanks I've read it, as D didn't intend to cause any harm, I guess he can't be held liable for GBH
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Catherine1973
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#3
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#3
i'd suggest the speeding person may be reckless to the risk of causing some harm?
(and also are they also evading arrest? which is another form of section 18 isn't it?)
(and also are they also evading arrest? which is another form of section 18 isn't it?)
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Catherine1973
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#4
s20 doesn't need intent? (s18 does)
and s18 covers where someone intends to avoid arrest, (that one is a tricky one in terms of MR, i'd need to look at that again really, but it doesn't need intend to do serious harm, jjust intent to avoid arrest)
and s18 covers where someone intends to avoid arrest, (that one is a tricky one in terms of MR, i'd need to look at that again really, but it doesn't need intend to do serious harm, jjust intent to avoid arrest)
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RV3112
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#5
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#5
(Original post by sally_1912)
Hey all,
I'm confused as to whether this scenario is ABH or GBH. D (lorry driver) is speeding away from the police. A container tumbles off the back of D's lorry and the police officer crashes into it and suffers serious injuries.
I would class this as GBH but apparently ABH equates to serious injuries as well but GBH is more serious. The scenario is vague so I'm not sure.
Thanks
Hey all,
I'm confused as to whether this scenario is ABH or GBH. D (lorry driver) is speeding away from the police. A container tumbles off the back of D's lorry and the police officer crashes into it and suffers serious injuries.
I would class this as GBH but apparently ABH equates to serious injuries as well but GBH is more serious. The scenario is vague so I'm not sure.
Thanks
s.20 of the 1861 Act (GBH) or s.18 of the 1861 Act (GBH with intent).
The lorry driver could (potentially) be charged with either:
s.20 requires a mens rea of recklessness as to some bodily injury occurring.
S.18 covers an intention to resist apprehension, providing there was malice as to grievous bodily harm. Malice in this context, means that the defendant must foresee the possibility of causing GBH. So the key issue to discuss is his foresight. Note the difference in the level of foresight required for s.18 and s.20.
In practice, you would charge with s.18 (as it carries the greater possible sentence), as the jury can return alternative verdicts of liability under s.20 or s.47(ABH) if they are not convinced beyond reasonable doubt regarding the s.18 elements.
Last edited by RV3112; 1 year ago
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kingyii1997
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#6
sally_1912
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#7
Thanks. However I couldn't talk too much about it because my essay covers liability for theft and constructive manslaughter with a 1000 word limit so it was tight
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sally_1912
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#8
(Original post by RV3112)
The most suitable offences would be:
s.20 of the 1861 Act (GBH) or s.18 of the 1861 Act (GBH with intent).
The lorry driver could (potentially) be charged with either:
s.20 requires a mens rea of recklessness as to some bodily injury occurring.
S.18 covers an intention to resist apprehension, providing there was malice as to grievous bodily harm. Malice in this context, means that the defendant must foresee the possibility of causing GBH. So the key issue to discuss is his foresight. Note the difference in the level of foresight required for s.18 and s.20.
In practice, you would charge with s.18 (as it carries the greater possible sentence), as the jury can return alternative verdicts of liability under s.20 or s.47(ABH) if they are not convinced beyond reasonable doubt regarding the s.18 elements.
The most suitable offences would be:
s.20 of the 1861 Act (GBH) or s.18 of the 1861 Act (GBH with intent).
The lorry driver could (potentially) be charged with either:
s.20 requires a mens rea of recklessness as to some bodily injury occurring.
S.18 covers an intention to resist apprehension, providing there was malice as to grievous bodily harm. Malice in this context, means that the defendant must foresee the possibility of causing GBH. So the key issue to discuss is his foresight. Note the difference in the level of foresight required for s.18 and s.20.
In practice, you would charge with s.18 (as it carries the greater possible sentence), as the jury can return alternative verdicts of liability under s.20 or s.47(ABH) if they are not convinced beyond reasonable doubt regarding the s.18 elements.
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RV3112
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#9
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#9
(Original post by sally_1912)
Would it be bad if I couldn't really touch upon the topic of GBH because I literally had no more room left to talk about anything else? I have a word limit
Would it be bad if I couldn't really touch upon the topic of GBH because I literally had no more room left to talk about anything else? I have a word limit
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sally_1912
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#10
(Original post by RV3112)
You would need to deal with s.18 at a minimum. The scenario you posted in the OP is clearly pushing you in that direction. If word count is a serious issue, you can simply consider the application of s.18, and then state in a single sentence that if the mens rea of s.18 cannot be satisfied, there could be liability under s.20. You don't need to consider ABH (s.47) if space is limited. Your facts clearly specify that the injuries were serious, this seems to rule out ABH (see e.g. case law which defines GBH such as R v Smith 1961).
You would need to deal with s.18 at a minimum. The scenario you posted in the OP is clearly pushing you in that direction. If word count is a serious issue, you can simply consider the application of s.18, and then state in a single sentence that if the mens rea of s.18 cannot be satisfied, there could be liability under s.20. You don't need to consider ABH (s.47) if space is limited. Your facts clearly specify that the injuries were serious, this seems to rule out ABH (see e.g. case law which defines GBH such as R v Smith 1961).
Last edited by sally_1912; 1 year ago
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RV3112
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#11
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#11
(Original post by sally_1912)
That's bad then because I have 0 space to write about it and if I cut anything out then I'm cutting important details out. Would I at least pass if I still didn't mention GBH or is that a fail? I don't know why they have such a small word limit if there's so many issues.
That's bad then because I have 0 space to write about it and if I cut anything out then I'm cutting important details out. Would I at least pass if I still didn't mention GBH or is that a fail? I don't know why they have such a small word limit if there's so many issues.
When tackling a question like this, your first step is always to identify all the issues first. Then plan your answer and split your word count accordingly depending on what issues you expect will require more words to resolve.
The best advice is to simply spend some time editing your existing answer to make it more concise. Word count is often wasted on overly long descriptions of case law (when one sentence summarising the ratio would usually suffice), excessive quotation (when paraphrasing would be fine), or verbiage.
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Catherine1973
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#12
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#12
Not a fail but if you don’t talk about one major issue then you probably are capped at a 2.2. We have to mention all major issues and most minor for a 2.1.
Cutting down the other sections is the best idea. They can’t mean you to go into that much detail if it’s 3 totally separate issues in 1000 word essay.
Cutting down the other sections is the best idea. They can’t mean you to go into that much detail if it’s 3 totally separate issues in 1000 word essay.
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sally_1912
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#13
(Original post by RV3112)
You won't fail automatically because you don't mention the issue, but you are essentially throwing away an entire portion of the marks. Exactly how many marks you are sacrificing, no-one can tell you without reviewing the whole question.
When tackling a question like this, your first step is always to identify all the issues first. Then plan your answer and split your word count accordingly depending on what issues you expect will require more words to resolve.
The best advice is to simply spend some time editing your existing answer to make it more concise. Word count is often wasted on overly long descriptions of case law (when one sentence summarising the ratio would usually suffice), excessive quotation (when paraphrasing would be fine), or verbiage.
You won't fail automatically because you don't mention the issue, but you are essentially throwing away an entire portion of the marks. Exactly how many marks you are sacrificing, no-one can tell you without reviewing the whole question.
When tackling a question like this, your first step is always to identify all the issues first. Then plan your answer and split your word count accordingly depending on what issues you expect will require more words to resolve.
The best advice is to simply spend some time editing your existing answer to make it more concise. Word count is often wasted on overly long descriptions of case law (when one sentence summarising the ratio would usually suffice), excessive quotation (when paraphrasing would be fine), or verbiage.
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sally_1912
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#14
(Original post by Catherine1973)
Not a fail but if you don’t talk about one major issue then you probably are capped at a 2.2. We have to mention all major issues and most minor for a 2.1.
Cutting down the other sections is the best idea. They can’t mean you to go into that much detail if it’s 3 totally separate issues in 1000 word essay.
Not a fail but if you don’t talk about one major issue then you probably are capped at a 2.2. We have to mention all major issues and most minor for a 2.1.
Cutting down the other sections is the best idea. They can’t mean you to go into that much detail if it’s 3 totally separate issues in 1000 word essay.
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