M'Naghten Rules (1843)
Definition
The insanity-defence standard from (1843) 8 Eng Rep 718, formulated by the House of Lords in response to the acquittal of Daniel M'Naghten: the accused is not responsible if, by reason of disease of the mind, they did not know the nature and quality of the act, or did not know it was wrong. The governing standard in England and Wales, applied in India under BNS § 22 / IPC § 84, and the baseline from which US law developed.
- Citation
- (1843) 8 Eng Rep 718
- Named after
- Daniel M'Naghten
- India equivalent
- BNS Section 22, formerly IPC Section 84
- Test focus
- Cognitive knowledge, not volitional control
Common questions
How did Daniel M'Naghten's case lead to this rule?+
M'Naghten was acquitted of murder by reason of insanity after shooting a government official, and the resulting public and parliamentary concern led the House of Lords judges to formulate answers that became the standard test.
Why do India's BNS Section 22 and the original M'Naghten Rules read almost identically?+
The provision was carried into the Indian Penal Code during colonial-era codification and has been retained with the same cognitive test through the transition to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Related terms
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