Strict Liability

• Strict liability


  MR is not required when there is at least one aspect of AR
• Absolute liability

  No MR and no voluntary AR

  R v Larsonneur
• No fault


  A defendant can be convicted if their voluntary act inadvertently caused a prohibited consequence

  Callow v Tillstone
• No due diligence defence

  • where the D has done all they can to not commit the offence
  • butcher would not be guilty in Callow v Tillstone
• No defence of mistake

  • if it is available the D will found innocent when they make an honest mistake
  • Cundy v Le Cocq
• SL in common law

  Only used in three offences

  1. Public nuisance
  2. Criminal libel
  3. Outraging public decency

  Gibson and Sylveire
• SL in statute law

  • In over 3500 offences
  • e.g. sale of food/alcohol or prevention of pollution