Fundamentals of Tort Law

Chapter 5: Law of Tort Revision Sheet

1. 📌 Essentials

• Tort: Civil wrong causing harm or loss, actionable for compensation.
• Elements: wrongful act, damage, caus.
• Damages: compensatory, nominal, exemplary.
• Types: wrongful act, legal damage, remedies.
• Dum pum sine: wrongful act without injury.
• Injuria sine: injury without damage.
• Strict liability: liability without fault; exceptions include act of God.
• Absolute liability: strict liability with no defenses.
• Vicarious liability: employer-employee, principal-agent, state.
• Key torts: battery, assault, false imprisonment, negligence, defamation.

2. 🧩 Key Structures & Components

• Wrongful Act — breach of duty causing damage.
• Damage — injury or loss suffered.
• Causation — link between act and damage.
• Damages — monetary compensation awarded.
• Strict Liability — liability without fault.
• Absolute Liability — liability with no defenses.
• Vicarious Liability — liability of one for another’s acts.
• Battery — intentional physical contact without consent.
• Assault — threat causing immediate apprehension.
• False Imprisonment — unlawful confinement.
• Negligence — breach of duty causing harm.
• Defamation — false statement damaging reputation.
• Malicious Prosecution — wrongful criminal proceedings.

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