Overview
intention
Quick Reference
N.
The state of mind of one who aims to bring about a particular consequence. Intention is one of the main forms of * mens rea, and for some crimes the only form (for example, murder). A person is assumed to intend those consequences of his acts that are inevitable but cannot be presumed to intend a consequence merely because it is probable or natural. In the latter case, the jury must decide, on all the available evidence, whether or not in fact the accused did intend the consequences. The jury is entitled to find that the accused intended the consequences of his action if the consequence was a virtual certainty and the defendant recognized it as such (R v Woollin [1999] 1 AC 82 (HL). This is sometimes known as oblique intention or indirect intention. Intention is often contrasted with recklessness and should not be confused with motive. For some purposes, offences are divided into crimes of basic intent or specific intent. See also ulterior intent.
Intention to injure is also a constituent element of some torts, particularly those dealing with business relations (e.g. conspiracy, intimidation, inducing breach of contract).
From: intention in A Dictionary of Law »
Subjects: Law
