But for A, B would not have occurred.

=

A was a necessary condition of B.

=

A was a cause sine qua non of B.



Lambton v. Mellish

Two defendants, each of whose action was necessary for, but were only jointly sufficient to, bring about the plaintiff's injury.


Corey v. Havenar

Two defendants, each of whose action was sufficient to bring about the plaintiff's injury (thus neither was necessary).


McGhee v. National Coal Board

One defendant, whose action we can only say increased the risk that the plaintiff would suffer the injury he did.


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