What is the legal term for offences that do not require proof of intent?

The legal term for offences that do not require proof of intent is "strict liability." In this context, strict liability offences allow a person to be held legally accountable without the prosecution needing to prove that the offender had any criminal intent (mens rea) at the time of committing the offence. This means that the focus is on the act itself (actus reus), rather than the mindset behind it. Such offences are often regulatory in nature and are implemented to promote adherence to social standards, such as safety and public health regulations.

Strict liability is an important concept in law because it fosters compliance and can facilitate enforcement by allowing authorities to effectively address minor offences without the complexities associated with proving intent. This differs from other concepts like cautions or warnings, which are typically alternatives to charging an individual and do not constitute a legal categorization of offences. Fixed penalty notices, while they may apply to strict liability offences, specifically refer to a method of enforcement rather than specifying the legal nature of the offences themselves.