R v Hughes [2013]

1. Facts:

• Hughes was driving without a full license or insurance.

• The victim (V) was driving erratically, crossed onto the wrong side of the road, and collided with Hughes.

• Hughes's driving was considered faultless, and V was deemed entirely responsible for their own death.

2. Outcome:

• Hughes was acquitted of causing death by dangerous driving.

• The court found that although Hughes's presence on the road was a 'but for' cause of V's death, it did not amount to legal causation.

3. Impact and Analysis:

• 'But For' Test: Highlights that merely being a 'but for' cause is insufficient for legal causation.

• Legal Causation: Emphasises that the defendant must have done something more than just have their vehicle present on the road to be legally responsible for the death.

• Acquittal Justification: The case clarifies that, despite being a necessary condition, the defendant's actions did not meet the threshold for legal causation in the context of causing death.