Module 5 Flashcards
What is consent?
When the victim gives permission to something that would otherwise be tortious (must be objectively manifested). Ie) if Andy says yes to Bob’s request to come on to Andy’s land even though and he secretly means no, Bob has the defense of consent to trespass (because Bob is relying on objective manifestations of consent )
What are the defenses to intentional torts?
A) consent B) self-defense C) defense of others D) defense and recovery of property E) necessity
What are the two main types of consent?
Express or implied
What are the four types of consent?
- Express, implied, pictorial gestures, by law
If a person has reason to know that another person is consenting to something outwardly but doesn’t really agree, does that knowledge negate consent?
Yes
What is express consent?
Expressed in words
What is implied consent?
Under the circumstances, the conduct of the plaintiffs reasonably conveys consent (objective standard)
What is implied by law consent?
When the law provides consent to serve a utilitarian purpose of presuming what most in society would want. Ie) consent to emergency medical attention if you’re unconscious (can be negated by wearing a bracelet)
What does consent implied by custom mean?
Consent can be implied from community custom if the person doesn’t say otherwise. Ie) if people in the community always walk on your property to knock on your door and you don’t put up a sign, then the absence of a contrary expression shows your consent
What are the ways to invalidate consent?
- incapacity
- action beyond the scope of consent
- fraud
- duress
- illegality
How does incapacity invalidate consent ?
Express or implied manifestations can be held invalid if the person lacks capacity to consent ie) is a child, teenager, insane person, handicapped person, drunk person, high person
*** if you don’t know the person is incapacitated and there’s no reasonable way to know, it doesn’t invalidate a defense of consent
How does action beyond scope of consent invalidate consent?
If you agree to play football, that doesn’t mean you consent to being bitten, because such conduct is not accepted in the rules or the custom of the game… So that is action beyond scope of consent
How does fraud invalidate consent?
If someone fraudulently misrepresents an essential aspect of the interaction it is invalidated. If the fraud is about a collateral matter that does not negate consent
How can duress negate consent?
If the consent is gotten under physical threat it becomes invalid
- ** economic pressure does not negate consent
- ** sometimes situational duress 10 negate consent
How does illegality negate consent?
A) majority rule: a person cannot consent to a criminal act… so a tort claim can proceed
B) minority view: a person can consent to criminal acts (plaintiff’s consent bars the tort claim)
What is self-defense?
A defense which can justify and negate liability. Reasonable force can be used where you reasonably believe it is necessary to protect yourself from immediate harm. This is both subjective (defendant must sincerely believe the force is necessary) and objective (must act reasonably)
What are the necessary elements of self-defense?
Immediate: must be in response to an immediate threat of harm
Reasonable: the victim sincere belief that self-defense is necessary must be reasonable, although it doesn’t have to be correct