Torts

When a person has been harmed by the conduct of another it is the law of torts which determines who has to bear the loss. This is an important aspect of the civil law (in contrast to criminal law). Historically, it derived largely from judicial decisions, and hence was largely what we call common law, but in more recent times legislation has become increasingly important. The law of torts protects people against, and compensates them for, unreasonable interferences with a wide range of interests, including their bodily integrity, property, reputation, and financial interests. It does this through a range of different torts, including trespass, negligence, nuisance and defamation. In this introductory course we focus on the use of the torts of trespass and negligence in contexts where people suffer personal injuries, the tort of trespass to land and an introduction to damages. As this is generally the first substantive law course that students encounter in their law program, we begin to teach students some of the skills required to read, understand and apply case law and legislation. We also explore, in an introductory way, the interaction between case law and legislation. To develop their knowledge and skills, students will engage in a range of learning activities including lectures, tutorials, online learning modules, collaborative learning and legal problem-solving skills training. This course meets the requirements of the Law Admissions Consultative Committee Prescribed Academic Areas of Knowledge for Torts.