What does "novus actus interveniens" refer to in legal terms?

"Novus actus interveniens," a Latin term meaning "new intervening act," refers to an intervening act that breaks the chain of causation in legal liability. In tort law, it is crucial to establish causation between a defendant's actions and the claimant's injury. If a subsequent act occurs, which is not a foreseeable consequence of the defendant's initial act, this may sever the link between the original wrongdoing and the harm suffered.

For instance, if a defendant causes a minor car accident, and the claimant later suffers serious injuries due to an unrelated medical condition that arises after the accident, the intervening medical issue could be considered a novus actus interveniens. Consequently, the defendant may not be held liable for the injuries stemming from this later condition.

This principle is essential when determining liability because it helps to delineate the extent of a defendant's responsibility in relation to a claimant's injuries. It ensures that defendants are not unfairly held liable for every result of their actions, particularly when those results are significantly influenced by subsequent, independent events.

This understanding clarifies why the other options do not fit the definition. A new law affecting a case does not pertain to causation, nor does a previous act that