Testing for causation in tort law

Abstract

The traditional, intuitively appealing, test for causation in tort law, known as 'the but-for test' has been subjected to what are widely believed to be devastating criticisms by Tony Honoré, and Richard Wright, amongst others. I argue that the but-for test can withstand these criticisms. Contrary to what is now widely believed, there is no inconsistency between the but for test and ordinary language, commonsense, or sound legal principle.