Collins v. Wilcock

Collins v. Wilcock (1984) was a case of trespass to the person focusing on battery. Expanding on Lord Holt's definition of intent in Cole v. Turner, Collins v. Wilcock narrowed the law. “An assault is committed when a person intentionally or recklessly harms someone indirectly. A battery is committed when a person intentionally and recklessly harms someone directly." But it also says this: “An offense of Common Assault is committed when a person either assaults another person or commits a battery.” It notes that the only distinction between common assault and causing actual bodily harm (under section 47 of the Offenses against the Person Act 1861) is the degree of injury.