| Unit name | Law of Tort |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LAWD10011 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Ken Oliphant |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | University of Bristol Law School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit will consider the following elements: introduction to case law and doctrines of precedent; introduction to tort law and its role in society; general principles of tortious liability; forms of tortious liability; standards of liability; causation and remoteness of damage; vicarious and joint liability and defences; torts relating to personal injuries, land and reputation.
After completing the unit, students will be able to display a good knowledge of the principles of tort law and apply the results to the solution of legal problems. They will be able to engage in critical analysis of the law from an informed theoretical and practical perspective. The unit will develop students skills relating to common law method (case-law and statutory interpretation). They will be equipped to research topics in the field of the unit from a standard range of legal materials, using both paper and electronic resources.
Taught by means of 27 lectures and 9 one-hour tutorials
Formative assessment: mid-sessional examination (90 minutes) Summative assessment: one 3-hour examination involving essays and problem questions
The leading textbook is Giliker & Beckwith, Tort (4th Edition, 2011). An alternative would be Horsey & Rackley: Tort Law (3rd Edition 2013)
If you are looking for a book with extracts of a lot of materials you will need, choose either Steele, Tort Law: Text, Cases & Materials (2nd edition 2010) or Lunney & Oliphant, Tort Law: Text & Materials (5th edition 2013) which is directly comparable in both format and quality.
You might also usefully refer to Atiyah, Accidents, Compensation and the Law (8th ed by P.Cane), Conaghan & Mansell, the Wrongs of Tort (2nd edition) and Weir's, Tort Law. All of these propound strong views.
