R v Pritchard (1836) 7 C. & P. 303, remains a leading case in the law of England and Wales on assessing a defendant's fitness to plead.[1]
The ruling reported is that of Edward Hall Alderson, cited as Alderson B. by reference to his honorary title of Baron. The case is within the Carrington & Payne's Nisi Prius Reports which are no longer widely available.
The importance of the case was the setting out of the following questions for the jury to answer in determining a defendant's sanity: