Automatism

Cards (6)

  • Automatism is a person acting in an automatic, "mechanical" way. Their acts must be involuntary.
  • Involuntary: "An involuntary act means an act which is done by the muscles without any control by the mind, such as a spasm, a reflex action, or a convulsion".
  • Automatism can also come from an external factor. Hill v Baxter.
  • Automatism cannot be self induced by things like drugs.
  • Lipman: Unable to rely on the defence.
  • Quick: Able to rely on defence.