← All Authorities
Australia Leading Case presumptioncategoriesmental elementimportation

He Kaw Teh v The Queen

[1985] HCA 43; (1985) 157 CLR 523
JurisdictionAustralia
CourtHigh Court of Australia
Year1985
StatusBinding authority

Key Principle

Where a statute creating a serious offence is silent as to mental element, there is a strong common-law presumption that mens rea (intention or at least recklessness/knowledge) is required, rebuttable only by clear contrary legislative intent.

Area of Law

Criminal Law, Procedure & Evidence

Related Cases

McAuliffe v The Queen [1995] HCA 37; (1995) 183 CLR 108
M v The Queen [1994] HCA 63; (1994) 181 CLR 487
Domican v The Queen [1992] HCA 13; (1992) 173 CLR 555

Ask CommonBench about this case

Get a detailed analysis of He Kaw Teh v The Queen and how it applies to your situation.

Explain He Kaw Teh v The Queen