Corr v IBC Vehicles Ltd

The House of Lords rejected that suicide was a novus actus interveniens that prevented the widow claiming loss of deependency under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976.^[2]

Lord Bingham, rational of the novus actus principle was it is not fair to hold a defendant liable for damage caused by someone else. An example of a new cause was ‘a voluntary, informed decision taken by the victim as an adult of sound mind.’ But the suicide was not a voluntary, informed decision of this kind. It was a response of a man suffering severe mental illness, impairing his capacity.

Lord Neuberger [65] asked whether deceased had ‘no real “fault” ... for his suicide.’ Majority held suicide did justify reduction in damages for contributory negligence. He retained some capacity.

• English tort law