Module description
The course focuses on general principles of tort liability as reflected in the law governing negligence, intentional interference with the person and the law of nuisance. In particular, the course seeks to promote understanding of and reflection upon:
- The principles of the tort of negligence. This includes the duty of care owed in respect of physical damage, psychiatric injury, purely economic loss, omissions to prevent harm, and harm caused by public authorities. It also covers the applicable principles of causation and remoteness.
- The statutory regulation of certain liabilities.
- Wrongs to the person, including the intentional torts of including battery, assault and false imprisonment.
- The principles of the tort of nuisance and the rule in Rylands v Fletcher.
- Defamation and the Protection of privacy.
- Vicarious liability.
- Tort defences.
- Basic principles of the law of damages and other remedies.
- Comparative perspectives on tort law.
- Theoretical perspectives on tort law.
In addition, there are three pieces of formative coursework required during the academic year although these are for feedback to enhance your learning and do not count towards your final mark of the module.
Assessment details
The course is assessed by way of:
- an examination (focusing on the materials covered in lectures and tutorials) – counting for 70% of your mark; and
- a research essay (relating to the topics covered in the CTCs II, III and IV, see above) – counting for 30% of your mark.
Learning outcomes
The key learning outcomes for the Law of Tort module are to promote thorough understanding of and critical thinking about:
- the nature of tortious liability;
- the constituent elements of major torts;
- the general principles of tort law;
- the social context in which tort law operates; and
- possible reforms and reassessment of tort law.
By the end of this module, students should be able to understand, think critically about and apply a number of major or otherwise important torts, as well as reflect on them from a range of social and theoretical perspectives.
Teaching pattern
Lecture (2 x 1 hour per week);
Tutorial (1 x 1 hour per week);
Seminar (4 x 2 hour per year)
Suggested reading list
- James Goudkamp, Donal Nolan, Winfield and Jolowicz on Tort (20th edition, 2020, Sweet & Maxwell)