Chapter 4 - Intentional Torts Flashcards
What is an intentional tort?
Occurs when someone acts a certain way intentionally
What is Tort Law’s specific definition of “intention”?
The plaintiff must prove that the defendant intended to perform the physical act.
What are some common forms of intentional torts?
Assault, battery, invasion of privacy, false imprisonment, trespass to land, and interference with chattels
What is the tort of assault?
Occurs when the defendant intentionally causes the plaintiff to REASONABLY BELIEVE that offensive bodily contact is imminent
What is an example of the tory of assault
Commit an assault by swinging your fist at me, even if you do not actually make contact. But if you punch me from behind, you do not commit the tort of assault if I did not know that the blow was coming (although you do commit the tort of battery)
What is a condition for the tort of assault?
Reasonable belief that bodily contact could occur
What is a condition for the tort of assault?
Believed that bodily contact was imminent, threat is immediate
What is a condition for the tort of assault?
Contact is offensive
What is the tort of battery?
Commit an act of unwanted contact, does not require that the defendant intended the specific harm that resulted from the unwanted contact
What is the definition of contact in relation to the tort of battery?
It is enough if the defendant causes something, such as a knife or a bullet, to touch the plaintiff. It is enough if the defendant makes contact with the plaintiff’s clothing or with something that the plaintiff is holding
What is the definition of social interaction in relation to the tort of battery?
Contact may be offensive even if it is not harmful, meaning you will commit a battery you kiss me despite my objections. You can even commit a tort if your actions are highly beneficial (as when a physician performs a life-saving blood transfusion against a patients wishes)
What is the exception to the tort of battery?
Use of reasonable force, such as when defending oneself
How is privacy indirectly protected?
Trespass to Land, Breach of Confidence, Intentional infliction of Mental distress, Abuse of private information, misappropriation of personality, negligence
Does there exist a tort of invasion of privacy?
No, not officially because it is difficult to find a balance between the right to privy and freedom of expression
What is the crime of “voyeurism”
Committed by secret observing or recording a person “ in circumstances that give rise to a reasonable expectation of privacy”
What are statuary causes of action to protect privacy interests?
Impose liability if a person “wilfully” violates another’s privacy by doing something they know to be wrong
What are the four types of privacy torts listed by Sharpe JA? p.86
Intrusion into the plaintiff’s seclusion or private affairs. Public disclosure of embarrassing information. Publicity that places the plaintiff in a bad light. Unauthorized use of the plaintiff’s likeness or image
What is the tort of False imprisonment?
Occurs when a person is confined within a fixed area without jurisdiction
What is the definition of confinement in relation to the tort of False imprisonment?
The confinement must be practically complete, not committed if they only obstruct one path while leaving another reasonable path open or if the plaintiff can easily escape
How is psychology associated with the tort of false imprisonment?
Can be either physical imprisonment or psychological
What is the tort of malicious prosecution?
The defendant improperly causes the plaintiff to be prosecuted
What is a complete defence to all intentional torts?
Consent, the defendant will not be held liable if the plaintiff for example agreed to be confined
What would occur if a person refuses to pay for their meal?
A restaurant is entitled to take down the patron’s name and sue for breach of contract, it may be liable for false imprisonment if it tries to detain the customer
True or false: A business can be authorized to make an arrest?
True, it can be but it must not use more force than is necessary
What is the tort of trespass to land?
Intentional interference with land
Can a trespass of land tort occur if you kick a ball into someone else backyard?
Yes, it is enough if I intended to go get it, even if I did not intend to do wrong or cause damage
What does a person have the right to? (trespass of land tort)
Has the right to the particular piece of property, as well as the air above it and the ground beneath it (reasonably)
When is the tort of trespass invalid?
When a person has the legal authority to be on a property, such as police officers when a search warrant is issued