Breaking the chain (or novus actus interveniens, literally "new act intervening") refers in English law to the idea that causal connections are deemed to finish. Even if the defendant can be shown to have acted negligently, there will be no liability if some new intervening act breaks the chain of causation between that negligence and the loss or damage sustained by the claimant.
Read more about Breaking The Chain: Discussion
Famous quotes containing the words breaking and/or chain:
“There’s kind of a Sleeping Beauty magic about the kid. I thought I’d done something toward breaking the spell. Seems not. Prince Charmless, that’s me.”
—Dodie Smith, and Lewis Allen. Roderick Fitzgerald (Ray Milland)
“Oh yes, that’s right. They chain up wild animals. That’s all I am, an animal.”
—John Elder [Anthony Hinds], British screenwriter, and Terence Fisher. Leon (Oliver Reed)