Haystead v Chief Constable of Derbyshire [2000] 3 All ER 890

Facts

  • Haystead struck a woman who was holding a child.
  • As a result of the blows, the woman dropped the child, causing injury to the child.
  • Haystead was charged with battery against both the woman and the child.
  • The main legal issue was whether Haystead could be liable for battery against the child, despite not directly touching the child.

Issues

  1. Whether battery can be committed through indirect application of force when the defendant’s actions intentionally result in unlawful force to another.
  2. Whether a direct causal link between the defendant’s conduct and application of force to the victim is sufficient for liability.
  3. Whether intervening acts by third parties can break the chain of causation and affect liability for battery.

Decision

  • The Court of Appeal upheld Haystead’s conviction for battery against the child.
  • The court found that Haystead’s intentional act of striking the woman directly caused the force applied to the child.
  • The judgment confirmed the existence of a clear causal link between Haystead’s actions and the injury suffered by the child.
  • The court distinguished this case from those where an independent act would have broken the chain of causation.

Legal Principles

  • Battery can be established by indirect application of force if the defendant’s intentional actions foreseeably result in unlawful force against another.
  • A direct physical contact by the defendant is not required for battery if causation and intent are present.
  • The chain of causation may be broken by intervening acts, but only if such acts are independent and sever the direct link between conduct and harm.
  • Liability for battery depends on both the actus reus (application of (unlawful) force) and mens rea (intention to apply force or foresight that force will result).

Conclusion

The Court of Appeal’s decision in Haystead v Chief Constable of Derbyshire clarified that battery liability extends to indirect application of force where there is intent and a direct causal connection, shaping the legal approach to causation and intent in battery law beyond cases of direct contact.

The answers, solutions, explanations, and written content provided on this page represent PastPaperHero's interpretation of academic material and potential responses to given questions. These are not guaranteed to be the only correct or definitive answers or explanations. Alternative valid responses, interpretations, or approaches may exist. If you believe any content is incorrect, outdated, or could be improved, please get in touch with us and we will review and make necessary amendments if we deem it appropriate. As per our terms and conditions, PastPaperHero shall not be held liable or responsible for any consequences arising. This includes, but is not limited to, incorrect answers in assignments, exams, or any form of testing administered by educational institutions or examination boards, as well as any misunderstandings or misapplications of concepts explained in our written content. Users are responsible for verifying that the methods, procedures, and explanations presented align with those taught in their respective educational settings and with current academic standards. While we strive to provide high-quality, accurate, and up-to-date content, PastPaperHero does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of our written explanations, nor any specific outcomes in academic understanding or testing, whether formal or informal.
No resources available.

Job & Test Prep on a Budget

Compare PastPaperHero's subscription offering to the wider market

PastPaperHero
Monthly Plan
$10
Assessment Day
One-time Fee
$20-39
Job Test Prep
One-time Fee
$90-350

Note the above prices are approximate and based on prices listed on the respective websites as of May 2025. Prices may vary based on location, currency exchange rates, and other factors.

Get unlimited access to thousands of practice questions, flashcards, and detailed explanations. Save over 90% compared to one-time courses while maintaining the flexibility to learn at your own pace.

All-in-one Learning Platform

Everything you need to master your assessments and job tests in one place

  • Comprehensive Content

    Access thousands of fully explained questions and cases across multiple subjects

  • Visual Learning

    Understand complex concepts with intuitive diagrams and flowcharts

  • Focused Practice

    Prepare for assessments with targeted practice materials and expert guidance

  • Personalized Learning

    Track your progress and focus on areas where you need improvement

  • Affordable Access

    Get quality educational resources at a fraction of traditional costs

Tell Us What You Think

Help us improve our resources by sharing your experience

Pleased to share that I have successfully passed the SQE1 exam on 1st attempt. With SQE2 exempted, I’m now one step closer to getting enrolled as a Solicitor of England and Wales! Would like to thank my seniors, colleagues, mentors and friends for all the support during this grueling journey. This is one of the most difficult bar exams in the world to undertake, especially alongside a full time job! So happy to help out any aspirant who may be reading this message! I had prepared from the University of Law SQE Manuals and the AI powered MCQ bank from PastPaperHero.

Saptarshi Chatterjee

Saptarshi Chatterjee

Senior Associate at Trilegal