3.7 Defences Flashcards
What are the 2 defences for tort law?
Contributory negligence and voluntary non fit injuria (consent)
What does the Law reform (contributory negligence) act 1945 say contributory negligence is?
Where a person sufferes damage partial through his own fault and partially through fault of D
- Partial defence
What is a case for contributory negligence
Revill v Newbery
Facts of Revill v Newbery
D owned an allotment which he slept in it with a shotgun most nights as it was prone to break ins. C brone into it, got shot and suffered injuries
Held in Revill v Newbery
Using the defence of contributory negligence, D’s damages were reduced by 2/3s
What is meant by partial defence
divert some blameworthiness, but not all
What happens if defence of contributory negligence is successful
courts will apportion loss between the parties
What are the 2 requirements of contributory negligence
- C failed to take proper care under circumstances for their own safety. (Varies with certain circumstances, things like age are took into account)
- The failure to take proper care was a contributory cause of the damage suffered
What are some examples of the 2nd point
Failure to wear setabelt
failure to follow safety instructions
What is a case that illustrates the requirements of contributory negligence
Gough v Thorns (1966)
Facts of Gough v Thorns
Lorry slowed down to let some kids cross road. D crepted up with his car and crashed into children causing damages
Held in Gough v Thorns
Measured reasonableness of the child and showed they cannot be contributory to negligence
What is voluntary non fit injuria (consent)
willingly placing themselves in position of harm
There are 3 elements to volunatry non fit injuria, what are these?
- Voluntary
- Agreement
- Knowledge
explain ‘voluntary’
agreement must be freely entered
- If C cannot exercise free choice defence will not work
explain ‘agreement’
can be expressed or implied, knowledge of the risk is not enough
expressed agreement - verbal
implied agreement - C demonstrates willingness to accept legal and physical risks
case for agreement
Smith v Charles baker and Sons
facts of Smith v Charles baker and sons
C was a construction worker, he would often have a crane lift stones over his head, one day a stone fell causing him injuries.
explain ‘knowledge’
C must have had knowledge of the full nature and extent of the risk
held in Smith v Charles baker and sons
Him having knowledge of possible risk wasnt enough. He did not consent to the lack of care
how are rescuers and sportsmen seen in regards to consent?
rescuers - not freely and voluntarily accepted the risk.
sportsmen - consenting to risk of injury which occurs ordinary of said sport
what is a case the illustrates the point of ‘knowledge’
Morris v Murray
Facts of Morris v Murray
After drinking alcohol the 2 friends decided to go flying. C and D were on the plane and it later crashed. C sued d’s representatives
Held in Morris v Murray
C was proven to have ‘accepted the risk’ as he knew the person was so drunk the aircraft ride would not be safe
In regards to occupiers liability how does consent work
no duty of care owed to a person who willingly accepts risks, ne need to establish agreement