Legal Definitions - in rixa per plures commissa

The Latin term in rixa per plures commissa is a concept from Scots law. It refers to an offense or crime that is committed during the course of a quarrel, fight, or serious disturbance involving several people.

Essentially, it describes a situation where a specific illegal act takes place as part of a larger, multi-person altercation or melee, rather than as an isolated incident.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Bar Brawl Injury
  Imagine a busy pub where an argument between two patrons quickly escalates into a full-blown brawl involving several individuals from different tables. During the chaotic fight, one person picks up a glass bottle and strikes another, causing a severe laceration. The act of striking with the bottle, which is an assault, would be considered in rixa per plures commissa.

  This illustrates the term because the assault (the offense) occurred within the context of a larger, multi-person fight (the quarrel involving several patrons), rather than as a one-on-one confrontation.

• Example 2: Street Clash Property Damage
  Consider a scenario where two rival groups of football supporters clash violently in the street after a match. Punches are thrown, objects are hurled, and general disorder ensues. In the midst of this widespread melee, an individual from one group deliberately smashes the window of a parked car belonging to a supporter of the opposing team. The act of vandalism (smashing the window) would fall under in rixa per plures commissa.

  Here, the property damage (the offense) was committed during a large-scale, multi-person street fight (the quarrel involving rival groups), directly linking the criminal act to the broader disturbance.

• Example 3: Festival Disturbance Assault
  During a crowded music festival, a dispute over space near the stage escalates into a pushing and shoving match involving a dozen people. As security tries to intervene, one person, caught up in the general pushing and panic, intentionally shoves an elderly bystander to the ground, causing a broken wrist. This assault would be an offense in rixa per plures commissa.

  This example demonstrates the term because the assault (the offense) happened within a significant disturbance (the pushing and shoving match) involving many individuals, where the specific act of harm was part of the larger chaotic event.