What does novus actus interveniens mean and what is its significance for causation in English tort law?

Novus actus interveniens is a Latin phrase meaning “new intervening act”. This concept is significant in English tort law because it is used to determine whether a new intervening act has broken the chain of causation between the defendant's original act and the plaintiff's injury. In other words, if a new intervening act has occurred between the defendant's act and the plaintiff's injury, the defendant may be relieved of liability for the injury. This is because the new intervening act is considered to be the direct cause of the injury, rather than the defendant's original act.