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What does novus actus interveniens mean in the law of torts?

Novus actus interveniens means a new intervening act. If the act breaks the chain of causation, the resulting loss is not legally attributed to the original wrong. The…

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What does novus actus interveniens mean in the law of torts?

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Correct answer B

Novus actus interveniens means a new intervening act. If the act breaks the chain of causation, the resulting loss is not legally attributed to the original wrong. The expression identifies the intervening act itself. Remoteness of damage addresses whether a loss falls within the scope of liability.

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Option A

An immediate consequence describes a result of the original wrong. The maxim concerns an intervening cause.

Option B

The maxim refers to a new intervening act that severs the causal link between the original wrong and the later loss.

Option C

A later loss alone does not show that a new act has broken the chain of causation.

Option D

Foreseeability concerns the relation of a consequence to the original wrong. It does not itself identify a new intervening act.

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