There is no guiding direction for causation. Discuss.

The question above requires us to consider whether guiding direction exists for causation. In this essay, I will discuss the general rule and the exceptions of causation in order to examine whether there is guiding direction for causation.

The general rule of causation is that there is no crime committed when the defendants act does not cause the end result as the element of Actus Reus is missing. To establish a valid causation, there have to be factual causation, legal causation and no break in chain.

Factual causation

Factual causation is commonly referred to as but for test, it is also sometimes known as sine qua non causation. The jury has to consider whether, but for the defendants unlawful act, the harm would have happened in the same way that it did. If the result would be the same, then the defendant (hereinafter refer to D) would not be guilty. In R v White…(short extract)