Main Terms and Definitions Blackmail
Blackmail — Main Terms And Definitions
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.
Blackmail
Definition
Under s21 Theft Act 1968:
• Blackmail Occurs Where A Person
• Makes Unwarranted Demand
• With Menaces
• With View To Gain For Self/Another
OR
• With Intent To Cause Loss To Another
Key Points
• Demand May Be Express Or Implied
• Menaces Need Not Be Violent
• Gain/Loss Usually Financial
• Actual Gain/Loss Not Necessary
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Thorne v Motor Trade Association | Economic Pressure = Menaces |
| Harvey | Subjective Belief Important |
| Harry | Reputation Threats Constituted Menaces |
Demand
Definition
• Request Or Requirement Made By Defendant
Key Points
• Demand Need Not Be Aggressive
• Demand May Be Implied Through Conduct
• Specific Words Not Necessary
• Jury Determines Whether Demand Exists
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Collister And Warhurst | Demand May Be Implied |
| Clear | No Specific Wording Needed |
Implied Demand
Definition
• Demand Communicated Indirectly Rather Than Explicitly
Key Points
• Conduct/Behaviour May Create Demand
• Defendant Need Not State Demand Clearly
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Collister And Warhurst | Implied Demand Sufficient |
| Clear | Demand May Be Informal |
Menaces
Definition
• Threats Or Pressure Used To Support Demand
Key Points
• Threat Need Not Be Physical Violence
• Economic And Reputational Threats Sufficient
• Menaces Determined Objectively
• Threat Must Influence Ordinary Person
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Thorne v Motor Trade Association | Economic Pressure Constituted Menaces |
| Lawrence And Pomroy | Vulnerable Victim Important |
| Harry | Exposure Threats Constituted Menaces |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.
Threat
Definition
• Statement/Conduct Suggesting Harm Or Pressure
Key Points
• Threat May Be Verbal Or Implied
• Threat May Relate To Violence, Reputation Or Finances
• Threat Need Not Terrify Victim
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Garwood | Threat Need Not Cause Extreme Fear |
| Harry | Reputation Threats Sufficient |
Economic Pressure
Definition
• Financial Threat Used To Pressure Victim
Key Points
• Economic Harm May Constitute Menaces
• Financial Pressure May Support Demand
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Thorne v Motor Trade Association | Economic Pressure = Menaces |
Reputation Threat
Definition
• Threat To Damage Victim’s Reputation Or Expose Information
Key Points
• Exposure Of Secrets May Constitute Menaces
• Social Embarrassment May Amount To Threat
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Harry | Reputation Threats Sufficient |
| Collister And Warhurst | Exposure Used To Obtain Money |
Unwarranted Demand
Definition
Under s21 Theft Act 1968:
Demand Is Unwarranted Unless Defendant Believes:
• Reasonable Grounds Exist For Demand
AND
• Menaces Are Proper Means Of Reinforcement
Key Points
• Both Requirements Must Exist
• Test Is Subjective
• Honest Belief Important
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Harvey | Subjective Belief Test |
| Lambert | Genuine Claim May Still Become Blackmail |
Subjective Belief
Definition
• Defendant’s Honest Personal Belief
Key Points
• Belief Need Not Be Reasonable
• Court Examines Defendant’s Actual State Of Mind
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Harvey | Honest Belief Sufficient |
Gain
Definition
Under Theft Act 1968:
• Obtaining Property/Money
OR
• Keeping Existing Property/Money
Key Points
• Gain Need Not Actually Occur
• Temporary Gain Sufficient
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Bevans | Gain Interpreted Broadly |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.
Loss
Definition
Under Theft Act 1968:
• Losing Property/Money
OR
• Being Put At Risk Of Loss
Key Points
• Actual Loss Not Necessary
• Temporary Loss Sufficient
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Bevans | Loss Interpreted Broadly |
Intent To Gain Or Cause Loss
Definition
• Purpose Of Obtaining Benefit
OR
• Causing Financial Harm
Key Points
• Gain/Loss Usually Financial
• Intent Alone Sufficient
• Actual Transfer Unnecessary
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Bevans | Gain/Loss Broadly Interpreted |
Vulnerable Victim
Definition
• Victim Particularly Susceptible To Threats/Pressure
Key Points
• Courts Consider Victim Characteristics
• Menaces Broader Where Vulnerability Known
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Lawrence And Pomroy | Vulnerability Increased Impact Of Threats |
Conditional Threat
Definition
• Threat Activated If Victim Refuses Demand
Key Points
• Threat May Depend On Victim’s Response
• Conditional Threats Still Constitute Menaces
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Thorne v Motor Trade Association | Conditional Threats Constituted Menaces |
Dishonesty
Definition
• Conduct Contrary To Ordinary Honest Standards
Modern Test
Under Barton And Booth:
• Jury Applies Ordinary Honest Person Standards
• Defendant’s Knowledge/Beliefs Considered
Key Points
• Dishonesty Important In Evaluating Conduct
• Honest Belief May Affect Liability
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Barton And Booth | Modern Dishonesty Test |
| Ghosh | Previous Two-Stage Test |
Mens Rea Of Blackmail
Definition
Blackmail Requires:
• Intention To Make Demand
• Intention To Use Menaces
• Intent To Gain/Cause Loss
Key Points
• Defendant Must Intend Pressure
• Honest Belief May Affect Liability
Main Cases
| Case | Principle |
|---|---|
| Harvey | Subjective Belief Important |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.
Most Important Blackmail Terms To Memorise
| Term | Core Meaning |
|---|---|
| Blackmail | Unwarranted Demand + Menaces |
| Demand | Request/Requirement |
| Implied Demand | Indirect Requirement |
| Menaces | Threats/Pressure |
| Threat | Suggested Harm |
| Economic Pressure | Financial Threat |
| Reputation Threat | Exposure/Embarrassment Threat |
| Unwarranted Demand | Improperly Justified Demand |
| Gain | Financial Benefit |
| Loss | Financial Harm |
| Subjective Belief | Defendant’s Honest Belief |
| Vulnerable Victim | Victim Easily Influenced |
Most Important Blackmail Definitions For Exams
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Blackmail | Unwarranted Demand With Menaces |
| Demand | Request/Requirement |
| Menaces | Threats/Pressure |
| Gain | Obtaining/Keeping Property |
| Loss | Losing/Risking Property |
| Unwarranted Demand | Demand Without Proper Justification |
| Subjective Belief | Honest Personal Belief |
| Conditional Threat | Threat Depending On Victim Response |
Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia (AYLOTI), World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 11 World Records and 7 Distinctions, Educate A Change.