沙丽金版法律英语.ppt

TortLaw General DefinitionTortlawisthebodyoflawthatdealswithcivilwrongs exceptthosethatarisefromcontractproblems Purposetocompensateaninjuredpartythroughtheawardofdamagesfortheinjuriesincurredduringatortiousact General Underlyingpolicyconsiderationsmaintenanceofapeacefulsocietydeterrencesocialresponsibilitythebalancingofeconomicinterestsagainstsocietalbenefits IntentionalTorts General Definitionanyintentionalactsthatarereasonablyforeseeabletocauseharmtoanindividual andthatdosoIntentIntentismostoftenprovedthroughcircumstantialevidence thedefendant sconduct inthecontextofhisorhersurroundingsandwhatheorshepresumablyknewandperceived General TransferredintentTransferredintentisadoctrineusedinbothcriminallawandtortlawwhentheintentiontoharmoneindividualinadvertentlycausesasecondpersontobehurtinstead Underthelaw theindividualcausingtheharmwillbeseenashaving intended theactbymeansofthe transferredintent doctrine General SubcategoriesTortsagainstthepersonassaultbatteryfalseimprisonmentintentionalinflictionofemotionaldistressPropertytortstrespasstolandtrespasstochattels personalproperty conversion Assault Definition incommonlaw anintentionalactthatcreatesanapprehensionofanimminentharmfuloroffensivecontactAssaultandbatteryAsdistinguishedfrombattery assaultneednotinvolveactualcontact itonlyneedsintentandtheresultingapprehension wieldingaknife Assault yellingthewordsnaketoapersonwhomyouknowisinfearofsnakesCriminalassaultandtortiousassaultIncriminallaw anassaultcanresultfromanattemptedbattery Sincesomeattemptedbatteriesmighttheoreticallyoccurwhenthevictimissleeping unconscious orunawareofthethreat criminalassaultcanoccurevenwhennothreatisperceivedbythevictim Assault Withthetortofassault aperceivedthreatbythevictimisparamount Adefendantthrowsarockatasleepingvictim Hecanonlybeguiltyoftheattemptedbatteryassault sincethevictimwouldnotbeawareofthepossibleharm Battery Definition atcommonlaw anintentionalactcausinganunconsentedharmfuloroffensivecontactwithapersonCriminalbatteryandtortiousbatteryCriminallawrecognizesdegreesofcrimesinvolvingphysicalcontact Thereisbutasingletortofbattery Battery Harmful contactcontactthatobjectivelyintendstoinjure disfigure impair orcausepain Offensive contactcontactthatwouldoffendaperson ssenseofpersonaldignityExamplesspittinginsomeone sface Battery intentionallyknockingahatoffsomeone sheadorknockingaglassoutofsome one shandwhippingahorseonwhichaplaintiffwasriding causingtheplaintifftofallandbeinjured anurse failingtowarnablindpatientthatheisheadedtowardanopenwindow causinghimtofallandinjurehimself FalseImprisonment DefinitionthedetentionofapersoninaboundedareawithoutjustificationorconsentElementsintenttoconfineapersonwithinacertainareaactualconfinementawarenessoftheconfinementbythepersonsoconfined FalseImprisonment absenceofareasonablemeansofescapeRemediesAcourtmayissueawritofhabeascorpustoreleaseapartyfromunlawfulrestraint Thepersonfalselyimprisonedmaysuetheoffenderfordamages IIED Definition shortforintentionalinflictionofemotionaldistress referredtoasthetortofoutrageinsomejurisdictionsintentionalconductthatresultsinextremeemotionaldistressElementsThedefendantmustactintentionallyorrecklessly IIED thedefendant sconductmustbeextremeandoutrageous andtheconductmustcausetheplaintifftosuffersevereemotionaldistress ExamplesAdefendantrefusedtoinformaplaintiffofthewhereaboutsoftheplaintiff schildforseveralyears thoughthatdefendantknewwherethechildwastheentiretime IIED Adefendantsentalettertoaplaintifffalselyinformingthepersonthataclosefamilymemberhadbeenkilledinanaccident StatuteofLimitations DefinitionanenactmentthatrestrictsthetimewithinwhichlegalproceedingsmaybeinitiatedObjectivedesignedtopreventclaimsfromarisingafterallevidencehasbeenlostorafterthefactshavebecomeobscurethroughthepassageoftime orthedeathordisappearanceofwitnesses StatuteofLimitations FunctionThestatuteoflimitationsisadefensethatisordinarilyassertedbythedefendanttodefeatanactionbroughtagainsthimaftertheappropriatetimehaselapsed ApplicationThedefendantmustraisethedefensebeforethecourtuponansweringtheplaintiff scomplaint StatuteofLimitations Ifnot heisregardedashavingwaivedthedefenseandwillnotbepermittedtouseitinanysubsequentproceedings TollingthestatuteMostjurisdictionsprovidethatlimitationsaretolledundercertaincircumstances Theaggrievedparty plaintiff isaminor Theplaintiffhasfiledabankruptcyproceeding Shopkeeper sPrivilege GeneralInsomejurisdictionsoftheUS thecourtsrecognizeacommonlawshopkeeper sprivilege underwhichashopkeeperisallowedtodetainasuspectedshoplifteronstorepropertyforareasonableperiodoftime solongastheshopkeeperhascausetobelievethatthepersondetainedinfactcommitted orattemptedtocommit theftofstoreproperty Shopkeeper sPrivilege RequisiteconditionsInvestigationonornearpremisesThedetentionitselfshouldbeeffectedeitheronthestorepremisesorintheimmediatevicinitythereof ReasonablesuspicionTheshopkeeperhasreasonablegroundstosuspecttheparticularpersondetainedisshoplifting Reasonableforceonly Shopkeeper sPrivilege Onlyreasonable non deadlyforceisusedtoeffectthedetention ReasonableperiodandmannerofdetentionThedetentionitselfmaybeforonlythetimenecessarytomakeareasonableinvestigationofthefacts PropertyTorts General DefinitionPropertytortsareaspecificclassofintentionaltortswhicharisewhentherightinvadedisapropertyrightratherthanapersonalright Typestrespasstolandenteringsomeone slandwithoutpermission General trespasstochattelshandlingitemsownedbyanotherwithoutpermissionconversiontakingpossessionofsomeoneelse spropertywiththeintentnottoreturnit TrespasstoLand Definitionthewrongfulinterferencewithone spossessoryrightsin real property Itisactionableperse Itisnotnecessarytoprovethatharmwassufferedtobringaclaim Interferenceanyphysicalentrytolandthrowinganythingontheland TrespasstoLand theabuseofarightofentry whenapersonwhohastherighttoenterthelanddoessomethingnotcoveredbythepermissionLandthesurfaceanythingpermanentlyattachedtotheland suchashousesthesubsoiltheairspace TrespasstoChattels Definitiontheintentionalinterferencewithanotherperson slawfulpossessionofachattel movablepersonalproperty Interferenceanyphysicalcontactwiththechattelinaquantifiablewayanydispossessionofthechattel whetherbytakingit destroyingit orbarringtheowner saccesstoit TrespasstoChattels ElementsLackofconsentTheinterferencewiththepropertymustbenon consensual ActualharmTheinterferencewiththepropertymustresultinactualharm IntentionalityTheinterferencemustbeintentional Conversion Definitionthewrongfuldispositionofanother spropertyasifitwereone sownPropertysubjecttoconversionItmustbepersonalproperty Realpropertycannotbelostandthenfound Itmustbetangible ananimal money furniture tools orreceipts Conversion cropsortimber aftertheyareseveredfromtheground therightsinapaper suchasalifeinsurancepolicy astockcertificate orapromissorynoteElementsTheplaintiffownsorhastherighttopossessthepropertyinquestionatthetimeoftheinterference thedefendantintentionallyinterferedwiththeplaintiff sproperty Conversion theinterferencedeprivedtheplaintiffofpossessionoruseofthepropertyinquestion andtheinterferencecauseddamagestotheplaintiff TraditionaldefensesAbandonmentThepropertyhadbeenabandonedbeforeitwastakenbythedefendant Conversion AuthorityoflawThepropertywastakenbyauthorityoflaw acourtorderorvalidprocess ConsentThepropertywastakenwithconsentoftheplaintiff eitherexpressorimplied FraudoftheplaintiffTheplaintiffconveyedpropertytoathirdpersonforpurposesofevadingcreditors TrespasstoChattelsandConversion SimilarityBothincludethewrongful intentionalinterferenceofpersonalproperty DifferenceThedifferencebetweenthemisoneofdegree thedegreeofpossessiontheinterferingpersonhasassumed Ingeneral whenanobjectisdamagedbutrepairable trespasstochattelsisthemoreappropriatetort Whensomethingisdestroyedorstolen conversionismoreappropriate TrespasstoChattelsandConversion Whentrespassisfound apersoncanrecoverthevalueofthe lostuse oftheitem andrecovertheitemitself Conversion ontheotherhand allowsapersontorecoverthefullvalueoftheitem ExampleIfsomeonestealspropertyfromyouandyouareabletorecoveritwithminimalornodamages youmayhaveacauseofactionintrespasstochattel Ifthesamepersonstealsthepropertyandsellsittoanother youwillhaveacauseofactioninconversion Negligence General DefinitionconductthatisculpablebecauseitfallsshortofwhatareasonablepersonwoulddotoprotectanotherindividualfromforeseeablerisksofharmElementsThedefendantowedadutytotheplaintiff thedefendantbreachedthatduty General asaresultofthedefendant sbreachofthatduty theplaintiffsufferedinjury andtheinjurywasareasonablyforeseeableconsequenceofthedefendant sactionorinaction DutyofCare DefinitionIntortlaw adutyofcareisalegalobligationimposedonanindividualrequiringthattheyadheretoastandardofreasonablecarewhileperforminganyactsthatcouldforeseeablyharmothers Foreseeability DutyofCare Inmanystates theonlytestiswhethertheharmtotheplaintifffromthedefendant sactionswasforeseeable StandardofCare DefinitionthedegreeofprudenceandcautionrequiredofanindividualwhoisunderadutyofcareThereasonablepersonstandardEachpersonowesadutytobehaveasareasonablepersonwouldunderthesameorsimilarcircumstances StandardofCare Factorsinvolved theknowledge experience andperceptionofthepersontheactivitythepersonisengaginginthephysicalcharacteristicsofthepersonthecircumstancessurroundingtheperson sactions NIED GeneralshortfornegligentinflictionofemotionaldistressacontroversialcauseofactionContrastwithIIEDThereisnoneedtoproveintenttoinflictdistress Thatis anaccidentalinfliction ifnegligent issufficienttosupportacauseofaction NIED UnderlyingconceptOnehasalegaldutytousereasonablecaretoavoidcausingemotionaldistresstoanotherindividual Ifonefailsinthisdutyandunreasonablycausesemotionaldistresstoanotherperson thatactorwillbeliableformonetarydamagestotheinjuredindividual ContributoryNegligence DefinitionadefensethatbarsaplaintifffromrecoveryifhisorherownactsoromissionscontributetotheinjuryBurdenofproofInsomejurisdictions thedefendanthastoprovethenegligenceofaplaintifforclaimant Inothers theburdenisonaplaintifftodisprovehisownnegligence ContributoryNegligence DefectItisoftenregardedasunfairbecauseunderthedoctrineavictimwhoisatfaulttoanydegree includingonly1 atfault willbedeniedcompensationentirely ComparativeNegligence Definitionadefensethatreducestheamountofdamagesthataplaintiffcanrecoverinanegligence basedclaimbaseduponthedegreetowhichtheplaintiff sownnegligencecontributedtotheinjuryTypes Pure comparativenegligenceIfaplaintiffis90 atfaultheorshecanstillrecover10 ofhislosses ComparativeNegligence Partial comparativenegligenceIfaplaintiffismorethan50 atfaultheorshecannotrecover AssumptionofRisk Definitionadefenseinthelawoftorts whichbarsaplaintifffromrecoveryagainstanegligenttortfeasorifthedefendantcandemonstratethattheplaintiffvoluntarilyandknowinglyassumedtherisksatissueinherenttothedangerousactivityinwhichhewasparticipatingatthetimeofhisinjury AssumptionofRisk TheoryUponassumptionoftherisk thereisnolongeradutyofcarerunningfromthedefendanttotheplaintiff Withoutadutyowedbythedefendant therecanbenonegligenceonhispart ApplicationThisdefenseiscommonlyusedincasesofinjuriesoccurringduringriskyrecreationalactivities StrictLiabilityTorts General StrictliabilityIntortlaw strictliabilityisliabilitywithoutfault suchasnegligenceortortiousintent PolicybasisUndercertaincircumstances aplaintiffmaybeallowedrecoveryeventhoughthereisnofaultonthepartofthedefendant General ApplicationStrictliabilityoftenappliestothoseengagedinhazardousorinherentlydangerousactivities blastingstoringinherentlydangeroussubstanceskeepingwildanimalsItalsoappliestosellersandmanufacturers ProductLiability DefinitiontheresponsibilityofamanufacturerorvendorofgoodstocompensateforinjurycausedbydefectivemerchandisethatithasprovidedforsaleProductliabilityclaimsintheUSnegligenceclaimsstrictliabilityclaimsbreachofwarrantyclaimsvariousconsumerprotectionclaims ProductLiability TypesofliabilityManufacturingdefectManufacturingdefectsarethosethatoccurinthemanufacturingprocessandusuallyinvolvepoor qualitymaterialsorshoddyworkmanship DesigndefectDesigndefectsoccurwheretheproductdesignisinherentlydangerousoruseless andhencedefective nomatterhowcarefullymanufactured ProductLiability Failure to warndefect alsoknownasmarketingdefect Failure to warndefectsariseinproductsthatcarryinherentnonobviousdangerswhichcouldbemitigatedthroughadequatewarningstotheuser andthesedangersarepresentregardlessofhowwelltheproductismanufacturedanddesignedforitsintendedpurpose Ultra hazardousActivity GeneralAnultra hazardousactivityinthecommonlawoftortsisonethatissoinherentlydangerousthatapersonengagedinsuchanactivitycanbeheldstrictlyliableforinjuriescausedtoanotherperson evenifthepersonengagedintheactivitytookeveryreasonableprecautiontopreventothersfrombeinginjured Ultra hazardousActivity CategoriesTransportation storage anduseofultra hazardousmaterialsdynamiteandotherexplosivesradioactivematerialscertainhazardouschemicalsKeepingofdangerousanimalswildanimals i e animalsthatarenotnormallydomesticatedinthatarea domesticatedanimalsthathaveaknownpropensityfordangerousbehavior Nuisance General Definitionsomethingthatcausesoffence annoyance troubleorinjuryThelawofnuisanceUnderthecommonlaw personsinpossessionofrealpropertyareentitledtothequietenjoymentoftheirlands Ifaneighborinterfereswiththatquietenjoyment theaffectedpartymaymakeaclaiminnuisance General TypesPrivatenuisance acivilwrongaviolationofone suseorquietenjoymentoflandPublicnuisance acriminalwronganunreasonableinterferencewiththepublic srighttoproperty Itincludesconductthatinterfereswithpublichealth safety peaceorconvenience PrivateNuisance Definitionaninterferencewithaperson suseorquietenjoymentofhislandRequirementsContinuousinterfer