What is a tort?


Published by a UUÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Dispute Resolution expert
Practice notes

What is a tort?


Published by a UUÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Dispute Resolution expert

Practice notes
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This Practice Note provides an introduction to tort law by addressing three questions:

  1. •

    what does the concept of being liable in tort mean? And how does tort relate to contract and criminal law

  2. •

    how has the law of tort developed?

  3. •

    what is the scope of tort, ie what interests does it protect? What conduct does it allow or punish? What impact has the Human Rights Act 1998 had on tort law, particularly calls for a general tort of privacy?

What is tort law?

The word 'tort' comes indirectly from the Latin term ‘tortus’, which means crooked or twisted—in other words, wrong.

It therefore makes sense that a ‘tort’ is a civil wrong that occurs where someone unfairly causes another person to suffer loss or harm.

A person committing a tort is legally liable to the party injured, who is provided with a remedy in law, such as monetary Damages or an injunction to compel or prevent certain conduct. An injured party who decides to pursue the matter in court is known as the claimant,

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Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Related legal acts:
Key definition:
Damages definition
What does Damages mean?

The monetary compensation awarded by law to a person for the legal wrong done to him.

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