Basic tort law for VL

Battery is the intentional and direct application of force to another person.

Letang v Cooper- the defendant must do it intentionally. Accidental force doesnt make battery.

Cole v Turner- battery doesnt need to cause harm.

Collins v Wilcock- the force must be unlawful. 

An assault is an act which causes another person to apprehend the infliction of immediate, unlawful force on his person.

R v Ireland- the act must be intentional and deliberate. Can be committed by words as well as conduct. 

R v St George- the conduct must cause the claimant reasonable fear that attack is imminent. The reasonableness is judged by the claimants perceptions of the defendants actions.

Thomas v NUM- the claimant must believe that the threatened attack is possible and will be carried out.