A Level Law Practice Exam

What is considered the actus reus of battery?

1. Intentional harm to another person

2. Any action that causes fear in the victim

3. The application of unlawful force to another person

4. Physical interaction that the victim consents to

The correct answer is: The application of unlawful force to another person

The actus reus of battery is defined as the application of unlawful force to another person. This concept in law emphasizes the physical aspect, meaning that for battery to occur, there must be an act that involves direct or indirect physical contact with another individual without their consent. In this context, 'unlawful force' signifies that the force used is not legally justified or permitted; it is both unauthorized and harmful. The act can be a punch, a shove, or even an act that indirectly causes contact, such as setting a trap. The key element here is that the application of force is not restricted to violent actions—any form of unwanted contact can meet the threshold for battery as long as it is considered unlawful. The other options, while possibly relevant in discussions of assault or related doctrines, do not effectively capture the essence of what constitutes the actus reus of battery. Intentional harm is more about the mental state associated with the action rather than the physical act itself. Actions that cause fear in the victim pertain more closely to assault, which involves creating apprehension rather than actual contact. Meanwhile, physical interaction that the victim consents to suggests that consent negates the unlawfulness of the action, thus not fulfilling the criteria for battery