Course

Unit 1

Introduction, Nature and Scope of Law of Torts

Meaning, Origin, and Evolution of the Law of Torts – Nature and Scope – Sources of Tort Law – Constituents of Tort: Wrongful Act, Legal Damage, and Remedy – Injuria sine damno and damnum sine injuria – Ubi jus ibi remedium – Tort distinguished from Crime and Breach of Contract – Mental elements in tortious liability – General Defences: Consent (Volenti non fit injuria), Act of God, Statutory Authority.

Unit 2

Specific Torts

Negligence: Meaning, Definition, and Essentials – Contributory Negligence – Remoteness of Damage – Nuisance: Meaning and Kinds – Defamation: Libel and Slander, Essentials of Defamation – Nervous Shock – Judicial trends in liability for personal and reputational injury.

Unit 3

Liability in Torts

Rule of Strict Liability: Rylands v. Fletcher – Origin, Scope, and Exceptions – Rule of Absolute Liability: M. C. Mehta v. Union of India – Vicarious Liability – State Liability in Torts in England and India – Sovereign and Non-Sovereign Functions – Constitutional Provisions – Violation of Fundamental Rights and Concept of Constitutional Torts – No- Fault Liability – Hit-and-run cases under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Unit 4

Consumer Protection and Tortious Remedies

Consumer Protection Act, 2019 – Definitions: Consumer, Complaint, Complainant, Consumer Dispute – Consumer Rights – Defect and Deficiency – Unfair Trade Practices and Misleading Advertisements – Electronic Service Providers and Endorsements – Consumer Protection Councils – Central Consumer Protection Authority – Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions – Product Liability: Concept, Scope, and Product Liability Action – Liability of Manufacturer, Seller, and Service Provider.

Unit 5

Contemporary developments and Statutory frameworks

Tort Law in a Modern Welfare State – Industrial and Environmental Liability – Compensation Jurisprudence – Constitutional Tort Remedies – Role of Judiciary in Expanding Tort Liability – Statutory Compensation under Motor Vehicles Law – Comparative perspectives and evolving trends in tort law.

Course Objectives

1. To introduce students to the origin, nature, scope, and development of the Law of Torts as a system of civil liability.
2. To enable understanding of the essential elements of tortious liability, available defenses, and remedies.
3. To develop the ability to analyse judicial decisions and apply tort principles to factual situations.
4. To examine concepts of negligence, strict and absolute liability, vicarious liability, and state liability in torts.
5. To familiarize students with consumer protection mechanisms, constitutional torts, and statutory compensation frameworks.

Course Outcomes

1. Understand and explain the foundational principles and theories of tort law.
2. Apply tort law doctrines to practical and hypothetical problem situations.
3. Analyse judicial precedents and statutory provisions relating to civil liability.
4. Evaluate liability arising from negligence, nuisance, defamation, and other specific torts.
5. Appreciate the interrelationship between tort law, constitutional rights, consumer protection, and motor accident compensation.

Teaching Methodology: Lecture, Group Discussion, PowerPoint Presentation etc. as per the requirement of each module.

Prescribed Legislations:

1. The Constitution of India, 1950
2. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019
3. The Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act, 1945 (England)
4. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (as amended)

Suggested Readings:

1. Avtar Singh & P. S. Atchuthen Pillai, Law of Torts. Eastern Book Company.
2. G. P. Singh et al., The Law of Torts. LexisNexis.
3. M. N. Shukla, The Law of Torts & Consumer Protection Act and Compensation under Motor Vehicles Act. Central Law Agency.
4. Ratanlal & Dhirajlal, The Law of Torts. LexisNexis.
5. R. F. V. Heuston & R. A. Buckley, Salmond & Heuston on the Law of Torts. Sweet & Maxwell.
6. Tony Weir, A Casebook on Tort. Sweet & Maxwell.
7. W. V. H. Rogers, Winfield & Jolowicz on Tort. Sweet & Maxwell.