Battery in United Kingdom

Definition of Battery

In accordance with the work A Dictionary of Law, this is a description of Battery :

The intentional or reckless application of physical force to someone without his consent. Battery is a form of *trespass to the person and is a *summary offence (punishable with a *fine at level 5 on the standard scale and/or six months’ imprisonment) as well as a tort, even if no actual harm results. If actual harm does result, however, the *consent of the victim may not prevent the act from being criminal, except when the injury is inflicted in the course of properly conducted sports or games (e.g. rugby or boxing) or as a result of reasonable surgical intervention

Compare assault; grievous bodily harm.

Definition of Battery

Battery is a summary criminal offence under s.39 of the criminal justice act 1988.