Breach of statutory duty- tort law

Most statutes passed by the Parliament impose duties on individuals, public bodies or organizations. The tort of statutory negligence is concerned with finding out whether breach of those duties set out by parliament gives rise to individuals taking private action. For an action to be successful in the tort of breach of statutory duty the claimant must show that the statutory duty allows him/her to sue for damages and that duty was owed to the. The claimant should also be able to prove the defendant's guilt of breach of statutory duty and that he suffered loss (es) as a result of the breach. The claimant should also be able to prove that the damage was of a type that the statute was intending to prevent. The purpose of this essay is to advise Jolene and Kenton as to whether they have a claim against Borsetshire County Council under breach of statutory duty. The courts did outline that careless performance of a statutory duty does not automatically give rise to a right of action unless there is a common law duty of care in negligence as set out in X (minors) v. Bedfordshire County Council1. Most statutes do not expressly state whether or not individuals have the right of action in the case of breach of statutory duty. At the same time it should be noted that not all breaches of statutory duties will lead to damages being awarded to the claimant. To try and shed light on the

  • Word count: 1742
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Law
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NEGLIGENCE - BREACH OF DUTY

AMY KEMP NEGLIGENCE - BREACH OF DUTY 04-02-04 Angela had recently been taken on as an adult volunteer helper with an outdoor activity centre. She was making her first trip with a group of 10-12 year old girls. Beth, an experienced leader, asked Angela to supervise the children building a rope bridge across a river. Angela had had no previous training or experience in making rope bridges, but she agreed to supervise on her own. When Angela's group of children started to cross the bridge that they had built, it collapsed, injuring Delia, aged 10. Angela had told the children the bridge was safe to use. (a) Explaining the relevant rules of law, decide whether Beth owed a duty of care to Delia in this situation. Lord Atkin originally determined how a duty of care could be identified in his 'neighbour principle.' In Donoghue V Stevenson [1932] he said, "You must take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which you can reasonably foresee would be likely to injure your neighbour." It was later established in Caparo V Dickman [1990], the test for duty of care must be answered in three stages. The first of these is the same as the Neighbour test. When applying this test to Beth, we must consider if the injuries Delia suffered were foreseeable and, as she knew that Angela had no previous experience, it would be fair to assume that she would

  • Word count: 346
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Law
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Assisting a trustee's breach of fiduciary duty.

"Where a person assists a trustee in the breach of a fiduciary duty owed to the beneficiaries, he may be held liable, both in equity by way of knowing assistance, or at common law by way of one of the economic torts. The adoption by the House of Lords in Twinsectra v Yardley of the criminal test of dishonesty as the basis of liability in knowing assistance has made the common law route a more attractive means of obtaining recovery from such an accessory." Discuss. If a stranger knowingly and dishonestly assists a trustee in a breach of trust he will be liable for accessory liability. In the case of Barnes v Addy (1874) LR 9 Ch App 244, assistance was described as one of two limbs constituting accessory liability. Knowing assistance is the equitable action for obtaining recovery from someone who has assisted in a breach of trust (Baughen, 2002). After Royal Brunei Airlines Sdn Bhd v Tan [1995] 2 AC 378, knowing assistance is now more properly identified as 'dishonest assistance' (Speirs, 2002). Lord Nicholls in Tan stated that dishonesty is the touchstone of liability for knowing assistance (at para.387). The decision of the Privy Council in Tan and its acceptance by the House of Lords in Twinsectra Ltd v Yardley and others [1999] Lloyd's Rep Bank 438 has brought about an important shift in the law on accessory liability (Moffat, 2005). Twinsectra Ltd lent money to Mr

  • Word count: 3363
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Law
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A Critical Examination of the Concept of Breach of Duty of Care

NEGLIGENCE1 Negligence is a legal concept in the common law legal systems usually used to achieve compensation for injuries (not accidents). Negligence is a type of tort or delict (also known as a civil wrong). However, the concept is sometimes used in criminal law as well. Negligence is generally defined as conduct that is culpable because it falls short of what a reasonable person would do to protect another individual from a foreseeable risk of harm. Through civil litigation, if an injured person proves that another person acted negligently to cause his injury, he can recover damages to compensate for his harm. Proving a case for negligence can potentially entitle the injured plaintiff to compensation for harm to their body, property, mental well-being, financial status, or intimate relationships. However, because negligence cases are very fact-specific, this general definition does not fully explain the concept of when the law will require one person to compensate another for losses caused by accidental injury. Further, the law of negligence at common law is only one aspect of the law of liability. Although resulting damages must be proved in order to recover compensation in a negligence action, the nature and extent of those damages are not the primary focus of negligence cases. Negligence is a tort which is the breach of a duty of care imposed by common or statute law,

  • Word count: 6356
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Law
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Tortious liability arises from the breach of duty primarily fixed by law; such duty is towards persons generally and its breach is redressable by an action for unliquidated damages.

TORT 1 Coursework Negligence consists of three elements: a legal duty to take care; breach of that duty and damaged suffered as a consequence of that breach. Of which a common definition is: "Tortious liability arises from the breach of duty primarily fixed by law; such duty is towards persons generally and its breach is redressable by an action for unliquidated damages." Tort of negligence importance begins with Lord Atkin's ground breaking judgement in Donoghue v Steveson [1932] AC 532. Where the claimant argued that she had suffered shock and gastroentertritis after drinking ginger beer from an opaque bottle out of which a decomposing snail had fallen when the dregs were poured. A friend brought her the drink so she couldn't sue in her own right in contract. The House of Lords held that the manufacturer owed duty of care, liable in negligence to the consumer of its products. Lord Atkin's judgment contained critical elements; negligence would be proved by satisfying a three part test: 'The existence of a duty of care owed to the claimant by the defendant' 'A breach that duty by falling below the appropriate standard of care' 'Damage caused by the defendant breach of duty that was not too remote a consequence of the breach' In order for Crispin to successfully claim in negligence, he has to prove that a Duty of Care existed between Sun Loungers Syndicate and

  • Word count: 1831
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Law
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Duty of care and economic loss - major cases.

DUTY OF CARE: ECONOMIC LOSS Basic Distinctions The law draws a distinction between: . pure economic loss; and, . economic loss which is directly consequential of reasonably foreseeable physical damage. The law also distinguishes between: . pure economic loss caused by negligent misstatement; and, . pure economic loss caused by a negligent act of the defendant. Pure Economic Loss There is no liability for pure economic loss in the absence of a contract between the claimant and the defendant. In Cattle v. Stockton Waterworks (1875) L.R. 10 QB 453 Blackburn J held that building contractors could not recover extra expenses incurred in finishing a tunnel after water, from the defendant’s works had flooded the tunnel and nearby land. Although the flooding was caused by the defendant’s negligence, there was no contract between the claimant and the defendant and no duty was therefore owed. Blackburn J said “…the question arises, can Cattle sue in his own name for the loss which he has in fact sustained, in consequence of the damage, which the defendants have done to the property of Knight, causing him, Cattle, to lose money under his contract? We think he cannot.” This was accepted and applied by Widgery J in Weller & Co. v. Foot and Mouth Disease Research Institute [1966] 1 QB 569. The defendants occupied premises where they carried out experimental work in

  • Word count: 2388
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Law
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To successfully pursue a claim in the Tort of negligence there are three elements that need to be fulfilled. These are a legal duty of care, a breach of that duty and damage suffered as a result of that breach

Tort 1 LW1018 Coursework Semester 1 2005-2006 To successfully pursue a claim in the Tort of negligence there are three elements that need to be fulfilled. These are a legal duty of care, a breach of that duty and damage suffered as a result of that breach. For all of the possible claims in question, a duty of care firstly needs to be established. The development for a general test establishing a legal duty of care began with Lord Atkin's judgment in Donoghue v Stevenson [1932].1 This case is particularly important. This is due to the fact that prior to this case there would have been no remedy available for claimants in the same situation as Mrs Donoghue. This was found in the previous case of Winterbottom v Wright [1842].2 Where the courts held that there could be no legal duty of care established in the absence of a contractual relationship. Mrs Donoghue did not purchase the ginger beer herself and had no contract hence was unable to sue in her own right. Mrs Donoghue decided to sue the manufacturer of the ginger beer for his negligence. It was held in this case that there could be a remedy available in the law of tort. The manufacturer owed a legal duty of care to the ultimate consumer of his product. From this case the neighbour principle was established. In his judgment Lord Atkin stated: ''You must take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which you

  • Word count: 2257
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Law
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Discussing the statement, It is thought that the value of damages for a breach of a duty in tort and a breach of contract should be similar.

Damages In discussing the statement, "It is thought that the value of damages for a breach of a duty in tort and a breach of contract should be similar.", it would be prudent to look at the obligations of the different parties under the two forms of law, to decide the validity of the statement. Due to the nature of law and the importance of making correct and reasonable judgements, there are always going to be decisions, rulings and judgements that will not satisfy all parties. In order to justify these decisions, the ruling party has to possess not only a thorough understanding of the law but also the full circumstances surrounding the actions brought by the plaintiff and also knowledge of any relevant cases brought beforehand which may set a binding precedence. It is therefore, bearing these last two points in mind, that no two cases where damages are seeking to be awarded are the same, whether it is under contract law or tort. Damages are said to be, "A sum of money awarded by a court as compensation for a tort or a breach of contract." A Dictionary of Law, Oxford University Press the effect of which is to compensate the plaintiff in full for their losses (Restitutio in integrum). What affects the principal of damage claims is whether or not the obligations between the defendant and the plaintiff were entered into voluntarily (Contract) or involuntarily (Tort), as

  • Word count: 1978
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Law
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Torts: How Satisfactorily have the courts used the control devices of duty of care, breach of duty, and causation of damage to limit liability in the tort of negligence. Discuss with reference to the following types of claim: personal injury, property dam

How Satisfactorily have the courts used the control devices of duty of care, breach of duty, and causation of damage to limit liability in the tort of negligence. Discuss with reference to the following types of claim: personal injury, property damage, psychiatric loss, and pure economic loss. Introduction: To quote Winfield and Jolowicz, the tort of negligence can be defined as 'the breach of a legal duty to take care which results in damage, undesired by the defendant, to the plaintiff.' Therefore three primary elements must satisfied for there to be a successful claim in negligence. Firstly, the defendant must have owed a duty of care. Secondly, this duty of care must have been breached and thirdly, as a consequence of the defendants breach, the claimant must have suffered personal injury, property damage or psychiatric loss (which is not too remote). The duty of Care: In deciding whether the defendant owes a duty of care, the Caparo test1 is crucial I.e. it is now the leading case in deciding where a duty of care is owed and has overridden the neighbour principle defined in Donaghue v Stephenson2 (reasonable foresight). Therefore, provided that damage can be foreseen and the parties have a proximate relationship and the courts have agreed that it is 'fair, just and reasonable' to impose a duty of care (taking into account policy considerations), a claim in negligence

  • Word count: 2268
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Law
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Any breach of statutory duty should give rise to a cause of action in tort for any person who suffers injury, damage or loss as a consequence

"Any breach of statutory duty should give rise to a cause of action in tort for any person who suffers injury, damage or loss as a consequence." In this essay I will analyse and explain how statutory duties are breached, and clarify what happens as a result. In doing so I will also illustrate the cause of action for any person who suffers loss, damage or injury as a consequence. What is a breach of statutory duty? Before a defendant can be brought before a court on charges of breaching a statutory duty. The following element must be proven, or have evidence that the defendant has failed to comply with a statutory obligation, that they were legally obliged to fulfil or carry out. A breach of statutory duty is an independent tort, which is totally separate from the tort of negligence. There are three different types of category applicable to breach statutory duty. These are: . Injury as a result of breaching a statutory duty. 2. Damage as a result of breaching a statutory duty. 3. Loss as a consequence of breaching a statutory duty. Exceptions to breach of statutory duty There are three exceptions to the rule applicable in the breach of a statutory duty. These are: . Protected class (Which includes minors) 2. Public rights (Which is the need for "Particular damage") 3. Special damage (Are given for damages that have been specifically proved) Remedies Due to

  • Word count: 992
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Law
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