Assault and battery

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Definition

n. the combination of the two crimes of threat (assault) and actual beating (battery). They are both also intentional civil wrongs for which the party attacked may file a suit for damages.
Context: Used in Criminal Law, Civil Law

Examples

  • In practice, “assault and battery” means the combination of the two crimes of threat (assault) and actual beating (battery).

Term Information

Jurisdiction: Common law
Legal Areas: Criminal Law, Civil Law
Pronunciation: /assault and battery/
Etymology: Origin: English legal terminology
Related Terms:
assault battery damages threat suit accomplice

Explore further

Look up this wording in official UK legislation (opens legislation.gov.uk search).

Search UK legislation for “assault and battery”