Introductory description

The module examines and analyses the law of civil liability for wrongfully-inflicted damage or injury: the law of “wrongs” or tort.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Historical development of tort;

theories and aims of tort;

the criteria for an action in negligence – duty of care, breach of duty, causation, remoteness of damage;

defences to negligence;

liability for psychiatric injury;

omissions;

public bodies;

occupier's liability;

trespass to the person;

economic loss;

special liability – products, statutory duty;

nuisance;

defamation;

privacy;

vicarious liability;

damages;

alternatives to tort.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Understand basic and advanced concepts and structure of the Common law of tort, with particular reference to the law of negligence in tort
• Understand the doctrinal relationship between the areas of common law. To appreciate and critically analyse the influence of policy on the development of the law
• Have a firm grasp of the social context and the economic implications of the recognition and extension of liability in tort. Particular reference being made to insurance, loss spreading, developing medical knowledge, maintaining professional standards and consumer protection.
• Application of substantive law and legal reasoning skills to complex hypothetical cases. Developing critical perspectives on legal developments, including making critical arguments well supported by case law and other sources.
• Analyse, evaluate and form critical judgements on individual cases and statutes; form critical judgements on a series of linked materials on discrete topic, and understand key debates on controversial areas of the law.
• Work independently to gain understanding of case law and policy issues without explanatory lectures, and demonstrate a good capacity for independent research
• Understand the language of the common law obligations. Be able to make oral presentations individually and in small groups on matters of law and policy. Be able to participate in and to organize discussion in an orderly and productive manner, showing a firm and critical grasp of the subject matter
• Work in collaboration to complete defined task within a limited time.
• Reference to primary source materials on the internet (cases, statutes, government reports and academic articles) through tort law web page

Indicative reading list

McBride, N. and Bagshaw, R., Tort Law, 5th ed. (Pearson Education, 2015)

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

No subject specific skills defined for this module.

Transferable skills

No transferable skills defined for this module.