Legal Causality
/ˈliːɡəl kɔːˈzælɪti/
Definitions
- (n.) The principle determining whether a defendant's conduct is legally sufficient to be held responsible for the resulting harm, establishing a cause-and-effect relationship recognized by law.
The court examined the issue of legal causality to determine liability for the accident.
- (n.) In criminal law, the requirement that the defendant's action be the actual and proximate cause of the crime to establish guilt.
Proving legal causality is essential to connect the accused's actions to the criminal outcome.
Related terms
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Commentary
Legal causality involves both factual cause and normative judgment; careful drafting must distinguish between actual cause and proximate cause to clarify responsibility.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.