Civil Law Flashcards
Sue definition
To take civil action against another person claiming that they have infringed some legal right of the plaintiff or did something wrong that negatively affected the plaintiff
Litigation definition
Commencing a civil action in court - normally begins by seeking legal representation and filing for a writ
Liable definition
Finding that one party is responsible for the other’s loss/infringement
Remedy definition
Orders made by a court or tribunal to address a civil wrong or breach - designed to restore the plaintiff back to their original position. Remedies can be in the form of injunctions or damages
Negligence
Occurs when the defendant owes a duty of care to the plaintiff and breaches this duty
Defamation
Occurs when the defendant communicates false statements to a third party about the plaintiff, which damages the plaintiff’s reputation
Breach of contract
Occurs when the defendant fails to perform their obligations arising from the terms of a contract
Family law
Deals with matters relating to parents, children and other family members. It also relates to property disputes arising from breakdown in marital or de-facto relationships such as those regarding the division of assets
Trespass to land
Occurs when the defendant unlawfully interferes with the land the plaintiff possesses
Plaintiff definition
The party who commences the civil action and claims their rights have been infringed or a wrong has occurred. The plaintiff is also known as the aggrieved party or the wronged party
Defendant definition
The party who is alleged to have infringed the plaintiff’s rights or is alleged to be responsible for the wrongdoing
Vicarious liability
If an employee infringes a person’s rights whilst acting in the course of their employment, the injured person may be able to sue the employer via vicarious liability - the legal responsibility of a third party for the wrongful acts of another e.g. an employer’s liability for what their employees did
Burden of proof
Rests upon the plaintiff. This follows the principle that the party who brings the case must satisfy the decision maker that their claim is supported by facts
Standard of proof
Strength of evidence required to prove the case. Plaintiff must prove their case based on the balance of probabilities
Cost factors - legal rep.
The cost of legal representation will depend on the complexity of the case, the experience of the legal representative, the avenue in which the matter is being heard e.g. court/tribunal.
Senior barrister can charge $600 p/h with KCs billing $1000 p/h
Cost factors - disbursements
Other expenses incurred as part of preparing for the case outside of legal rep. These inc. filing fees, hearings fees, fees for a jury.
A writ in the County Court = $779
Hearing fees in County Court = $800
Jury = $1606 for first day then $303.60 for subsequent days.
Also includes fees for expert witnesses, mediation fees organised privately.
Cost factors - Adverse court orders
The legal requirement that one party pays for the other party’s legal costs. If the plaintiff is unsuccessful in their claim, the court may order that they pay some or all of the defendants legal costs.
General rule = successful party should have their legal costs paid by the losing party.
Limitations of actions definition
A restriction on the time limit in which a plaintiff must commence a civil action in court, after which time, the plaintiff is unable to bring an action relating to the civil wrong against the defendant.
Limitations of actions legislation
Limitations of Actions Act 1958 (Vic)
Why do limitations of actions exist
- Encourages parties to bring their disputes to court in a timely manner
- The ability for witnesses to recall the incident from memory remains accurate
- To ensure the quality of evidence to support the party’s claims remain high
- To ensure the defendant does not have to defend a civil action after a significant amount of time
Exceptions to the limitations of actions
- If they have a disability during the relevant period
- date of ‘discoverability’ occurs after the event e.g. asbestos or radiation
Defamation limitation of actions
one year
Negligence limitation of actions
six years
Breach of contract limitation of actions
six years
Personal injuries limitation of actions
three years
Action to recover land limitation of actions
fifteen years
Action to claim the personal estate of a deceased person limitation of actions
fifteen years
Enforcement issues definition
A factor that involves the plaintiff considering that if they are successful in their claim, can their claim be enforced on the defendant. That is, the defendant is able to fulfil their obligation.
Enforcement issues
- Defendant is likely/has declared bankruptcy or is an unemployed individual
- Defendant is a company and may not have assets to sell to pay for damages
- Defendant is in prison or has relocated overseas permanently
- Defendant cannot be identified
Ways to enforce damages
Plaintiff may have to issue enforcement proceedings in the form of a sherif’s warrant via the courts to seize the defendant’s goods/assets to sell them to retrieve their money.
Fairness - Impartiality
- The Civil Procedures Act 2010 (Vic) ensures that rules of preparing and presenting a case is applied to both sides. This regulates the narrowing of legal issues being disputes, disclosure during discovery etc.
- Independent and impartial adjudicator preside over dispute. This could be in the form of a judge, mediator, magistrate or arbitrator.
Fairness - open
- Disputes that utilise a court are open to the public including the court’s judgement.
- H/W jurors when reaching a decision are also not required to provide a reason for their decision t/f decisions may not be consistent as a result of processes being open.