A Level Law Practice Exam

In legal causation, what is required for D to be considered a legal cause of a consequence?

1. D's conduct must be the sole cause of the consequence

2. D's conduct must be more than a minimal cause

3. Only negligence is relevant in causation

4. The action must directly cause a fatality

The correct answer is: D's conduct must be more than a minimal cause

In legal causation, for a defendant to be considered a legal cause of a consequence, their conduct must be more than a minimal cause. This principle is important because it recognizes that multiple factors can contribute to a result, yet the defendant's actions must have played a significant role in bringing about that outcome. The standard often requires that the defendant’s conduct is a substantial factor in the series of events leading to the consequence. This concept is crucial in establishing a clear connection between the defendant's actions and the resulting harm, ensuring that liability is appropriately assigned to those whose actions were integral to the outcome. For instance, if a person engages in negligent behavior, their actions might not be the sole reason for an accident, but if they significantly contributed to it, they can still be deemed legally responsible. Therefore, the correct understanding of legal causation hinges on the idea that the defendant’s behavior has to surpass a threshold of minimal contribution, indicating a meaningful role in causing the consequence.