沙丽金版法律英语ppt课件

TortLaw.GeneralDefinitionTortlawisthebodyoflawthatdealswithcivilwrongs,exceptthosethatarisefromcontractproblems.Purposetocompensateaninjuredpartythroughtheawardofdamagesfortheinjuriesincurredduringatortiousact.GeneralUnderlyingpolicyconsiderationsmaintenanceofapeacefulsocietydeterrencesocialresponsibilitythebalancingofeconomicinterestsagainstsocietalbenefits.IntentionalTorts.GeneralDefinitionanyintentionalactsthatarereasonablyforeseeabletocauseharmtoanindividual,andthatdosoIntentIntentismostoftenprovedthroughcircumstantialevidence—thedefendant’sconduct,inthecontextofhisorhersurroundingsandwhatheorshepresumablyknewandperceived..GeneralTransferredintentTransferredintentisadoctrineusedinbothcriminallawandtortlawwhentheintentiontoharmoneindividualinadvertentlycausesasecondpersontobehurtinstead.Underthelaw,theindividualcausingtheharmwillbeseenashaving"intended"theactbymeansofthe"transferredintent"doctrine..GeneralSubcategoriesTortsagainstthepersonassaultbatteryfalseimprisonmentintentionalinflictionofemotionaldistressPropertytortstrespasstolandtrespasstochattels(personalproperty)conversion.AssaultDefinition(incommonlaw)anintentionalactthatcreatesanapprehensionofanimminentharmfuloroffensivecontactAssaultandbatteryAsdistinguishedfrombattery,assaultneednotinvolveactualcontact—itonlyneedsintentandtheresultingapprehension.wieldingaknife.AssaultyellingthewordsnaketoapersonwhomyouknowisinfearofsnakesCriminalassaultandtortiousassaultIncriminallaw,anassaultcanresultfromanattemptedbattery.Sincesomeattemptedbatteriesmighttheoreticallyoccurwhenthevictimissleeping,unconscious,orunawareofthethreat,criminalassaultcanoccurevenwhennothreatisperceivedbythevictim..AssaultWiththetortofassault,aperceivedthreatbythevictimisparamount.＊Adefendantthrowsarockatasleepingvictim.Hecanonlybeguiltyoftheattemptedbatteryassault,sincethevictimwouldnotbeawareofthepossibleharm..BatteryDefinition(atcommonlaw)anintentionalactcausinganunconsentedharmfuloroffensivecontactwithapersonCriminalbatteryandtortiousbatteryCriminallawrecognizesdegreesofcrimesinvolvingphysicalcontact.Thereisbutasingletortofbattery..Battery“Harmful"contactcontactthatobjectivelyintendstoinjure,disfigure,impair,orcausepain“Offensive"contactcontactthatwouldoffendaperson’ssenseofpersonaldignityExamplesspittinginsomeone'sface.Batteryintentionallyknockingahatoffsomeone'sheadorknockingaglassoutofsome-one'shandwhippingahorseonwhichaplaintiffwasriding,causingtheplaintifftofallandbeinjured(anurse)failingtowarnablindpatientthatheisheadedtowardanopenwindow,causinghimtofallandinjurehimself.FalseImprisonmentDefinitionthedetentionofapersoninaboundedareawithoutjustificationorconsentElementsintenttoconfineapersonwithinacertainareaactualconfinementawarenessoftheconfinementbythepersonsoconfined.FalseImprisonmentabsenceofareasonablemeansofescapeRemediesAcourtmayissueawritofhabeascorpustoreleaseapartyfromunlawfulrestraint.Thepersonfalselyimprisonedmaysuetheoffenderfordamages..IIEDDefinition★shortforintentionalinflictionofemotionaldistress★referredtoasthetortofoutrageinsomejurisdictionsintentionalconductthatresultsinextremeemotionaldistressElementsThedefendantmustactintentionallyorrecklessly;.IIEDthedefendant'sconductmustbeextremeandoutrageous;andtheconductmustcausetheplaintifftosuffersevereemotionaldistress.ExamplesAdefendantrefusedtoinformaplaintiffofthewhereaboutsoftheplaintiff'schildforseveralyears,thoughthatdefendantknewwherethechildwastheentiretime..IIEDAdefendantsentalettertoaplaintifffalselyinformingthepersonthataclosefamilymemberhadbeenkilledinanaccident..StatuteofLimitationsDefinitionanenactmentthatrestrictsthetimewithinwhichlegalproceedingsmaybeinitiatedObjectivedesignedtopreventclaimsfromarisingafterallevidencehasbeenlostorafterthefactshavebecomeobscurethroughthepassageoftime,orthedeathordisappearanceofwitnesses.StatuteofLimitationsFunctionThestatuteoflimitationsisadefensethatisordinarilyassertedbythedefendanttodefeatanactionbroughtagainsthimaftertheappropriatetimehaselapsed.ApplicationThedefendantmustraisethedefensebeforethecourtuponansweringtheplaintiff'scomplaint..StatuteofLimitationsIfnot,heisregardedashavingwaivedthedefenseandwillnotbepermittedtouseitinanysubsequentproceedings.TollingthestatuteMostjurisdictionsprovidethatlimitationsaretolledundercertaincircumstances.Theaggrievedparty(plaintiff)isaminor.Theplaintiffhasfiledabankruptcyproceeding..Shopkeeper'sPrivilegeGeneralInsomejurisdictionsoftheUS,thecourtsrecognizeacommonlawshopkeeper'sprivilege,underwhichashopkeeperisallowedtodetainasuspectedshoplifteronstorepropertyforareasonableperiodoftime,solongastheshopkeeperhascausetobelievethatthepersondetainedinfactcommitted,orattemptedtocommit,theftofstoreproperty..Shopkeeper'sPrivilegeRequisiteconditionsInvestigationonornearpremisesThedetentionitselfshouldbeeffectedeitheronthestorepremisesorintheimmediatevicinitythereof.ReasonablesuspicionTheshopkeeperhasreasonablegroundstosuspecttheparticularpersondetainedisshoplifting.Reasonableforceonly.Shopkeeper'sPrivilegeOnlyreasonable,non-deadlyforceisusedtoeffectthedetention.ReasonableperiodandmannerofdetentionThedetentionitselfmaybeforonlythetimenecessarytomakeareasonableinvestigationofthefacts..PropertyTorts.GeneralDefinitionPropertytortsareaspecificclassofintentionaltortswhicharisewhentherightinvadedisapropertyrightratherthanapersonalright.Typestrespasstolandenteringsomeone'slandwithoutpermission.Generaltrespasstochattelshandlingitemsownedbyanotherwithoutpermissionconversiontakingpossessionofsomeoneelse'spropertywiththeintentnottoreturnit.TrespasstoLandDefinitionthewrongfulinterferencewithone'spossessoryrightsin(real)property★Itisactionableperse.(Itisnotnecessarytoprovethatharmwassufferedtobringaclaim.)Interferenceanyphysicalentrytolandthrowinganythingontheland.TrespasstoLandtheabuseofarightofentry,whenapersonwhohastherighttoenterthelanddoessomethingnotcoveredbythepermissionLandthesurfaceanythingpermanentlyattachedtotheland,suchashousesthesubsoiltheairspace.TrespasstoChattelsDefinitiontheintentionalinterferencewithanotherperson'slawfulpossessionofachattel(movablepersonalproperty)Interferenceanyphysicalcontactwiththechattelinaquantifiablewayanydispossessionofthechattel(whetherbytakingit,destroyingit,orbarringtheowner'saccesstoit).TrespasstoChattelsElementsLackofconsentTheinterferencewiththepropertymustbenon-consensual.ActualharmTheinterferencewiththepropertymustresultinactualharm.IntentionalityTheinterferencemustbeintentional..ConversionDefinitionthewrongfuldispositionofanother’spropertyasifitwereone’sownPropertysubjecttoconversionItmustbepersonalproperty:Realpropertycannotbelostandthenfound.Itmustbetangible:ananimal,money,furniture,tools,orreceipts;.Conversioncropsortimber(aftertheyareseveredfromtheground)therightsinapaper,suchasalifeinsurancepolicy,astockcertificate,orapromissorynoteElementsTheplaintiffownsorhastherighttopossessthepropertyinquestionatthetimeoftheinterference;thedefendantintentionallyinterferedwiththeplaintiff'sproperty;.Conversiontheinterferencedeprivedtheplaintiffofpossessionoruseofthepropertyinquestion;andtheinterferencecauseddamagestotheplaintiff.TraditionaldefensesAbandonmentThepropertyhadbeenabandonedbeforeitwastakenbythedefendant..ConversionAuthorityoflawThepropertywastakenbyauthorityoflaw,acourtorderorvalidprocess.ConsentThepropertywastakenwithconsentoftheplaintiff,eitherexpressorimplied.FraudoftheplaintiffTheplaintiffconveyedpropertytoathirdpersonforpurposesofevadingcreditors..TrespasstoChattelsandConversionSimilarityBothincludethewrongful,intentionalinterferenceofpersonalproperty.DifferenceThedifferencebetweenthemisoneofdegree—thedegreeofpossessiontheinterferingpersonhasassumed.Ingeneral,whenanobjectisdamagedbutrepairable,trespasstochattelsisthemoreappropriatetort.Whensomethingisdestroyedorstolen,conversionismoreappropriate..TrespasstoChattelsandConversionWhentrespassisfound,apersoncanrecoverthevalueofthe"lostuse"oftheitem—andrecovertheitemitself.Conversion,ontheotherhand,allowsapersontorecoverthefullvalueoftheitem.ExampleIfsomeonestealspropertyfromyouandyouareabletorecoveritwithminimalornodamages,youmayhaveacauseofactionintrespasstochattel.Ifthesamepersonstealsthepropertyandsellsittoanother,youwillhaveacauseofactioninconversion..Negligence.GeneralDefinitionconductthatisculpablebecauseitfallsshortofwhatareasonablepersonwoulddotoprotectanotherindividualfromforeseeablerisksofharmElementsThedefendantowedadutytotheplaintiff;thedefendantbreachedthatduty;.Generalasaresultofthedefendant'sbreachofthatduty,theplaintiffsufferedinjury;andtheinjurywasareasonablyforeseeableconsequenceofthedefendant'sactionorinaction..DutyofCareDefinitionIntortlaw,adutyofcareisalegalobligationimposedonanindividualrequiringthattheyadheretoastandardofreasonablecarewhileperforminganyactsthatcouldforeseeablyharmothers.Foreseeability.DutyofCareInmanystates,theonlytestiswhethertheharmtotheplaintifffromthedefendant'sactionswasforeseeable..StandardofCareDefinitionthedegreeofprudenceandcautionrequiredofanindividualwhoisunderadutyofcareThereasonablepersonstandardEachpersonowesadutytobehaveasareasonablepersonwouldunderthesameorsimilarcircumstances..StandardofCareFactorsinvolved:theknowledge,experience,andperceptionofthepersontheactivitythepersonisengaginginthephysicalcharacteristicsofthepersonthecircumstancessurroundingtheperson'sactions.NIEDGeneralshortfornegligentinflictionofemotionaldistressacontroversialcauseofactionContrastwithIIEDThereisnoneedtoproveintenttoinflictdistress.(Thatis,anaccidentalinfliction,ifnegligent,issufficienttosupportacauseofaction.).NIEDUnderlyingconceptOnehasalegaldutytousereasonablecaretoavoidcausingemotionaldistresstoanotherindividual.Ifonefailsinthisdutyandunreasonablycausesemotionaldistresstoanotherperson,thatactorwillbeliableformonetarydamagestotheinjuredindividual..ContributoryNegligenceDefinitionadefensethatbarsaplaintifffromrecoveryifhisorherownactsoromissionscontributetotheinjuryBurdenofproofInsomejurisdictions,thedefendanthastoprovethenegligenceofaplaintifforclaimant.Inothers,theburdenisonaplaintifftodisprovehisownnegligence..ContributoryNegligenceDefectItisoftenregardedasunfairbecauseunderthedoctrineavictimwhoisatfaulttoanydegree,includingonly1%atfault,willbedeniedcompensationentirely..ComparativeNegligenceDefinitionadefensethatreducestheamountofdamagesthataplaintiffcanrecoverinanegligence-basedclaimbaseduponthedegreetowhichtheplaintiff'sownnegligencecontributedtotheinjuryTypes‘Pure’comparativenegligenceIfaplaintiffis90%atfaultheorshecanstillrecover10%ofhislosses..ComparativeNegligence‘Partial’comparativenegligenceIfaplaintiffismorethan50%atfaultheorshecannotrecover..AssumptionofRiskDefinitionadefenseinthelawoftorts,whichbarsaplaintifffromrecoveryagainstanegligenttortfeasorifthedefendantcandemonstratethattheplaintiffvoluntarilyandknowinglyassumedtherisksatissueinherenttothedangerousactivityinwhichhewasparticipatingatthetimeofhisinjury.AssumptionofRiskTheoryUponassumptionoftherisk,thereisnolongeradutyofcarerunningfromthedefendanttotheplaintiff.Withoutadutyowedbythedefendant,therecanbenonegligenceonhispart.ApplicationThisdefenseiscommonlyusedincasesofinjuriesoccurringduringriskyrecreationalactivities..StrictLiabilityTorts.GeneralStrictliabilityIntortlaw,strictliabilityisliabilitywithoutfault(suchasnegligenceortortiousintent).PolicybasisUndercertaincircumstances,aplaintiffmaybeallowedrecoveryeventhoughthereisnofaultonthepartofthedefendant..GeneralApplicationStrictliabilityoftenappliestothoseengagedinhazardousorinherentlydangerousactivities:blastingstoringinherentlydangeroussubstanceskeepingwildanimalsItalsoappliestosellersandmanufacturers..ProductLiabilityDefinitiontheresponsibilityofamanufacturerorvendorofgoodstocompensateforinjurycausedbydefectivemerchandisethatithasprovidedforsaleProductliabilityclaimsintheUSnegligenceclaimsstrictliabilityclaimsbreachofwarrantyclaimsvariousconsumerprotectionclaims.ProductLiabilityTypesofliabilityManufacturingdefectManufacturingdefectsarethosethatoccurinthemanufacturingprocessandusuallyinvolvepoor-qualitymaterialsorshoddyworkmanship.DesigndefectDesigndefectsoccurwheretheproductdesignisinherentlydangerousoruseless(andhencedefective)nomatterhowcarefullymanufactured..ProductLiabilityFailure-to-warndefect(alsoknownasmarketingdefect)Failure-to-warndefectsariseinproductsthatcarryinherentnonobviousdangerswhichcouldbemitigatedthroughadequatewarningstotheuser,andthesedangersarepresentregardlessofhowwelltheproductismanufacturedanddesignedforitsintendedpurpose..Ultra-hazardousActivityGeneralAnultra-hazardousactivityinthecommonlawoftortsisonethatissoinherentlydangerousthatapersonengagedinsuchanactivitycanbeheldstrictlyliableforinjuriescausedtoanotherperson,evenifthepersonengagedintheactivitytookeveryreasonableprecautiontopreventothersfrombeinginjured..Ultra-hazardousActivityCategoriesTransportation,storage,anduseofultra-hazardousmaterialsdynamiteandotherexplosivesradioactivematerialscertainhazardouschemicalsKeepingofdangerousanimalswildanimals(i.e.animalsthatarenotnormallydomesticatedinthatarea)domesticatedanimalsthathaveaknownpropensityfordangerousbehavior.Nuisance.GeneralDefinitionsomethingthatcausesoffence,annoyance,troubleorinjuryThelawofnuisanceUnderthecommonlaw,personsinpossessionofrealpropertyareentitledtothequietenjoymentoftheirlands.Ifaneighborinterfereswiththatquietenjoyment,theaffectedpartymaymakeaclaiminnuisance..GeneralTypesPrivatenuisance—acivilwrongaviolationofone'suseorquietenjoymentoflandPublicnuisance—acriminalwronganunreasonableinterferencewiththepublic'srighttoproperty★Itincludesconductthatinterfereswithpublichealth,safety,peaceorconvenience..PrivateNuisanceDefinitionaninterferencewithaperson'suseorquietenjoymentofhislandRequirementsContinuousinterferenceTheinterferencemustbedoneoveracertainperiodoftime.UnreasonablenessTheinterferencemustbeunreasonable,therebymakingitunlawful..PrivateNuisanceProofofdamageTheremustbedamagecausedtothelanditselfortohealthwhichimpairstheuseorenjoymentoftheland.Remediesmonetarydamagesinjunction—anequitableremedyabatement—aself-helpremedy.DignitaryTorts.GeneralDefinitionDignitarytortsareaspecificcategoryofintentionaltortswherethecauseofactionisbeingsubjectedtocertainkindsofindignities.HistoryHistorically,theprimarydignitarytortswerebattery,assault,andfalseimprisonment,aseachclaimedharmtoaperson'shumandignity..GeneralModernjurisprudenceUndermodernjurisprudencethiscategoryismorecloselyassociatedwithsecondarydignitarytorts:defamationfalselightintentionalinflictionofemotionaldistressinvasionofprivacyalienationofaffections.DefamationDefinitionGenerallyspeaking,defamationistheissuanceofafalsestatementaboutanotherperson,whichharmsthatperson’sreputation.★Slanderisoraldefamation,andlibeliswrittendefamation.Elementsafalseanddefamatorystatementconcerninganother.Defamationtheunprivilegedpublicationofthestatementtoathirdpartyifthedefamatorymatterisofpublicconcern,faultamountingatleasttonegligenceonthepartofthepublisherdamagetotheplaintiffDefamationperseattacksonaperson'sprofessionalcharacterorstanding.DefamationallegationsthatanunmarriedpersonisunchasteallegationsthatapersonisinfectedwithasexuallytransmitteddiseaseallegationsthatthepersonhascommittedacrimeofmoralturpitudeDefensestoclaimsofdefamationtruthprivilegeopinion.