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Criminal Law: Necessity Defences and Preliminary Offences

Consent

  • 3 things to know
  • Components 2 and 3

Overview

Four recognised exceptions where consent to harm is valid and position on consent to lawful chastisement of a child.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

When is consent a defence to an offence against the person?

Numbers

Which case established the general rule on consent to harm?

Key term

Name four recognised exceptions where consent to harm is valid.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    When is consent a defence to an offence against the person?

    Model answer

    Consent is a defence to assault and battery where the consent is genuine. Consent is generally no defence to actual bodily harm or anything more serious.

  2. 2

    Which case established the general rule on consent to harm?

    Model answer

    R v Brown [1994] held that consent is no defence to actual bodily harm or worse unless a recognised exception applies. The House of Lords upheld convictions arising from consensual sadomasochistic acts.

  3. 3

    Name four recognised exceptions where consent to harm is valid.

    Model answer

    Properly conducted sports and reasonable surgical interference are recognised exceptions. Tattooing and piercing, and rough horseplay, are two more.

  4. 4

    Which case allowed consent to branding between spouses?

    Model answer

    R v Wilson [1996] quashed a conviction where a husband branded his initials on his wife's buttocks at her request. The court treated the act as akin to tattooing.

  5. 5

    Which case concerned consent in the context of sport?

    Model answer

    R v Barnes [2004] held that a criminal prosecution should follow a sporting injury only where the conduct was sufficiently grave. Conduct within what could reasonably be expected on the field is not criminal.

  6. 6

    Which case concerned consent and rough horseplay?

    Model answer

    R v Aitken [1992] quashed convictions where officers set fire to a colleague's fire-resistant suit during celebrations. Genuine belief in consent to horseplay could found a defence.

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