Question:medium

M' Naghten Rules form the basis of the law of:

Show Hint

M'Naghten = Mind = Insanity. These rules created the classic "right-wrong test" for legal insanity, focusing on the cognitive capacity of the accused at the time of the offence.
Updated On: May 24, 2026
  • Infancy
  • Insanity
  • Ignorance of fact
  • Mistake
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The question asks about the basis for the law of a certain legal principle, specifically related to the "M' Naghten Rules." Let's examine each option provided:

  1. Infancy: This refers to a legal defense used to argue that a person is not liable for a criminal act due to their young age. The M' Naghten Rules do not address this.
  2. Insanity: The M' Naghten Rules are indeed the basis for the legal defense of insanity. These rules establish that a defendant should not be held liable for their actions if, at the time of the crime, they were so mentally ill that they did not understand the nature or quality of their actions, or did not know that their actions were wrong. The correct answer is therefore Insanity.
  3. Ignorance of fact: This refers to a situation where a person claims they were unaware of a fact that makes their actions unlawful. This is unrelated to the M' Naghten Rules.
  4. Mistake: Mistake as a legal defense can involve a mistaken belief that results in a lack of knowledge about the laws or facts. This is also not related to the M' Naghten Rules.

Thus, the M' Naghten Rules are specifically pertinent to the legal defense of Insanity, explaining why this is the correct choice in relation to the question asked.

Was this answer helpful?
0

Top Questions on Criminal Law