''Fitzpatrick v. Kelly'', L.R. 8 Q.B. 337 (1873), was an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national id ...

case decided by the

Queen's Bench The King's Bench (), or, during the reign of a female monarch, the Queen's Bench ('), refers to several contemporary and historical courts in some Commonwealth jurisdictions. * Court of King's Bench (England), a historic court court of common ...

that adopted a

strict liability In criminal and civil law, strict liability is a standard of liability under which a person is legally responsible for the consequences flowing from an activity even in the absence of fault or criminal intent on the part of the defendant. Un ...

standard for violations of the Adulteration of Food Act (35 & 36 Vict. c. 74, s. 2 (1872)). The defendant was prosecuted for selling adulterated butter, and the court did not require a showing of '' mens rea''.Bonnie, R.J. et al. ''Criminal Law, Second Edition.'' Foundation Press, New York, NY: 2004, p. 252

References

{{reflist English criminal case law 1873 in case law 1873 in British law Court of King's Bench (England) cases