Murdoch v British Israel World Federation (New Zealand) Incorporated - [1942] NZLR 600

Negligence — Deaths by Accidents Compensation — Suicide following Injury — Whether Chain of Causation between Accident and Death — Whether Suicide in such Circumstances a Novus Actus disentitling Dependants to Recover — Damages — Basis of Assessment — Deaths by Accidents Compensation Act, 1908, ss 3, 4, 5.

Criminal Law — Insanity — Criminal Responsibility — Crimes Act, 1908, s 43 (2) — Interpretation — No departure from Common-law Rule in McNaghten's Case — Unaltered by Mental Defectives Act, 1911 — "And" — "Or" — Man injured in Accident, afterwards suffering from Depression and Melancholia, and committing Suicide — Whether so Insane as to be Irresponsible in the Criminal Sense — Crimes Act, 1908, s 43 — Mental Defectives Act, 1911, s 31.

Practice — Jurisdiction — Trial — Judge and Jury — Plaintiff's Evidence concluded — Motion for Nonsuit — No Evidence for Defendant called — Plaintiff's Motion for Judgment — Case withdrawn from Jury by Consent of Counsel — Removal by Consent into Court of Appeal for Argument and Determination of Whole Case — Jurisdiction of Supreme Court to make such Order — Judicature Act, 1908, ss 64, 65.