False Imprisonment: A Comprehensive Guide for Law Students

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT an essential element of false imprisonment?

Accepted Answer

Absence of reasonable belief in lawful authority

Answer

Intentional confinement

Answer

Absence of lawful authority

Answer

Lack of consent

Question 2

Which of the following is an essential element to establish the tort of false imprisonment?

Accepted Answer

Intentional confinement without lawful authority

Answer

Physical injury

Answer

Intentional infliction of emotional distress

Answer

Defamation of character

Question 3

What is the primary legal remedy available for false imprisonment?

Accepted Answer

Damages

Answer

Injunction

Answer

Specific performance

Answer

Rescission

Question 4

Which of the following is a potential defense against a claim of false imprisonment?

Accepted Answer

Necessity

Answer

Assumption of risk

Answer

Contributory negligence

Question 5

In the landmark case of Collins v Wilcock, which factor was central in establishing false imprisonment?

Accepted Answer

The plaintiff was detained against his will in a locked room

Answer

The plaintiff suffered physical harm as a result of the detention

Answer

The plaintiff was detained for a prolonged period of time

Question 6

Which of the following situations would NOT be considered false imprisonment?

Accepted Answer

Confining someone in a public place where they are free to leave

Answer

Confining someone in a locked room

Answer

Confining someone in a car

Answer

Confining someone in their own home

Question 7

In the case of Herring v Boyle, the plaintiff's confinement in a mental hospital was considered unlawful because it was:

Accepted Answer

Without their consent

Answer

For an excessive duration

Answer

Imposed by a private individual

Answer

Based on an incorrect diagnosis

Question 8

What is the primary legal remedy awarded for false imprisonment?

Accepted Answer

Compensatory damages

Answer

Punitive damages

Answer

Injunction

Answer

Restitution

Question 9

Which of the following factors is NOT considered when determining the reasonableness of a confinement?

Accepted Answer

The victim's reputation

Answer

The purpose of the confinement

Answer

The nature of the restraint

Answer

The duration of the confinement

Question 10

In the context of false imprisonment, what is meant by 'constructive confinement'?

Accepted Answer

Confinement caused by non-physical factors

Answer

Confinement that is brief and temporary

Answer

Confinement that is imposed by a public authority

Question 11

In the case of Campbell v Alford, the defendant's liability for false imprisonment arose from:

Accepted Answer

Locking the plaintiff in a shop after closing hours

Answer

Chasing the plaintiff through the street

Answer

Threatening the plaintiff with physical harm

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT an essential element of false imprisonment?

Accepted Answer

Intentional infliction of emotional distress

Answer

Confinement

Answer

Unlawful detention

Question 13

In which of the following situations is the defense of consent valid in a false imprisonment case?

Accepted Answer

A person agrees to undergo a medical procedure after being fully informed of the risks and benefits.

Answer

A student is held after school for detention without consent.

Answer

A patient is involuntarily committed to a mental health facility.

Question 14

What is the significance of the 'all elements must be present' requirement in proving false imprisonment?

Accepted Answer

It means that the prosecution must establish each essential element of false imprisonment beyond a reasonable doubt in order to convict the defendant.

Answer

It means that if one element of false imprisonment is not proven, the defendant cannot be held liable for any of the other elements.

Question 15

What types of damages can be awarded in a successful false imprisonment claim?

Accepted Answer

Both compensatory and exemplary damages

Answer

Only exemplary damages

Answer

Only compensatory damages

Answer

Only nominal damages

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a necessary element for proving false imprisonment?

Accepted Answer

The confinement was reasonable

Answer

The confinement was without lawful authority

Answer

The confinement was complete

Answer

The confinement was intentional

Question 17

What is the minimum duration of confinement required to constitute false imprisonment?

Accepted Answer

There is no minimum duration

Answer

Five minutes

Answer

One minute

Answer

Ten minutes

Question 18

Which of the following actions could be considered false imprisonment?

Accepted Answer

Locking someone in a room against their will

Answer

Following someone closely in a public place

Answer

Threatening someone with violence

Answer

Verbally abusing someone

Question 19

What is the key difference between false imprisonment and unlawful detention?

Accepted Answer

False imprisonment is a civil wrong (tort), while unlawful detention is a criminal offense.

Answer

False imprisonment is more serious than unlawful detention

Answer

They are essentially the same

Question 20

In a false imprisonment case, who bears the burden of proof?

Accepted Answer

The plaintiff must prove that the defendant intentionally confined them without lawful authority

Answer

The defendant must prove that they had a lawful reason to confine the plaintiff

Answer

The burden of proof shifts to the defendant once the plaintiff has established a prima facie case

Question 21

In which of the following situations would a person MOST LIKELY NOT be liable for false imprisonment?

Accepted Answer

A police officer arrests someone they reasonably believe has committed a crime

Answer

A teacher locks a student in a classroom as punishment

Answer

A store security guard detains someone they suspect of shoplifting

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a necessary element for a successful claim of false imprisonment?

Accepted Answer

The imprisonment must be for a specific duration.

Answer

The imprisonment must be complete.

Answer

The imprisonment must be without lawful justification.

Answer

The imprisonment must be intentional.

Question 23

A shop owner suspects a customer of shoplifting and detains them for two hours while waiting for the police. Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

The shopkeeper may have a valid defense if the detention was reasonable and necessary to prevent theft.

Answer

The shopkeeper is only liable if the customer was actually shoplifting.

Answer

The shopkeeper is liable for false imprisonment because the detention was for an excessive time.

Answer

The shopkeeper is always liable for false imprisonment, regardless of the circumstances.

Question 24

A woman is locked in a room by her husband. She is not physically harmed, but feels trapped and terrified. Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

The woman may have a claim for false imprisonment, as the law recognizes psychological harm.

Answer

The woman cannot claim false imprisonment because she was locked in a room by her husband.

Answer

The woman cannot claim false imprisonment because she was not physically harmed.

Answer

The woman can only claim false imprisonment if she can prove she suffered a physical injury.

Question 25

A man is stopped by a police officer and asked for ID. He refuses and is arrested for obstructing a police officer. Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

The man may have a claim for false imprisonment if the arrest was unlawful, even if he refused to provide ID.

Answer

The man cannot claim false imprisonment because he refused to provide identification.

Answer

The man can only claim false imprisonment if the police officer did not have reasonable suspicion.

Answer

The man cannot claim false imprisonment because he was arrested by a police officer.

Question 26

What is the primary remedy for false imprisonment?

Accepted Answer

Damages

Answer

Specific performance

Answer

Restitution

Answer

Injunction

Question 27

A woman is told by a security guard she cannot leave a building until she is searched. She is searched, and no contraband is found. Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

The woman may have a claim for false imprisonment if the search was unreasonable or without lawful justification.

Answer

The woman cannot claim false imprisonment because she was not physically restrained.

Answer

The woman cannot claim false imprisonment because the security guard had a reasonable suspicion.

Answer

The woman can only claim false imprisonment if she was actually carrying contraband.

Question 28

A shop assistant detains a man suspected of shoplifting for 30 minutes before the police arrive. Which factor is MOST relevant in determining if the shop assistant is liable?

Accepted Answer

Whether the shop assistant had reasonable grounds for suspicion to detain the man.

Answer

The value of the items the man was suspected of stealing.

Answer

The man's age and appearance.

Answer

The length of time the man was detained.

Question 29

A nurse prevents a woman from leaving a hospital ward because she believes the woman is a danger to herself. Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

The nurse may have a valid defense if the woman was genuinely a danger to herself and the detention was necessary.

Answer

The nurse is always liable for false imprisonment, regardless of the circumstances.

Answer

The nurse is only liable if the woman was not actually a danger to herself.

Answer

The nurse can only detain the woman for a short period of time.

Question 30

A man is held in a police cell for 12 hours without being charged with any crime. Which statement is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

The man may have a claim for false imprisonment, as the police must bring him before a magistrate within a reasonable time.

Answer

The man can only claim false imprisonment if the police had no reasonable suspicion to detain him.

Answer

The man cannot claim false imprisonment because the police had a lawful reason to detain him.

Answer

The man cannot claim false imprisonment because he was detained in a police cell.

Question 31

Which of the following factors is LEAST relevant in determining whether a person has been falsely imprisoned?

Accepted Answer

The person's social status.

Answer

The person's physical condition.

Answer

The person's knowledge of the surrounding circumstances.

Answer

The person's state of mind.