Civil Law

Question 0

What is defamation? (Tort)

Answer 0

A written or verbal communication that lowers a persons reputation in the eyes of others in the community.

Question 1

What is the aim of a civil law?

Answer 1

The main aim of a civil law is to return a person back to their original position before the harm or loss occurred. This is generally done through remedies such as damages, which are awarded to compensate for loss or suffering.

Question 2

What are 2 possible defences to defamation?

Answer 2

• justification: which is when you argue what you published was true
• honest opinion: you can use this as a defence if you can prove the matter was an expression of opinion, the opinion relates to the matter of public interest and the opinion is based on proper material.

Question 3

What is negligence? (Tort)

Answer 3

Negligence occurs when a person breaches a duty to take reasonable care to avoid foreseeable risk, resulting in injury or suffering a loss.

Question 4

What are 2 possible defences for negligence?

Answer 4

• contributory negligence: this defence is used when you can prove that the plaintiff contributed to the offence.
• you didn’t do it.

Question 5

What is the role of a civil jury?

Answer 5

There are 6 people on a civil jury, they have the role of deciding how much compensation is awarded to the winner of the trial