Tort and negligence

Copyright © 2024 LexisNexis

This subtopic covers general torts, negligence and nuisance. For a summary in tabular form of key and illustrative decisions in negligence claims (as from 1 January 2020), see Practice Note: Negligence claims—key and illustrative decisions.

What are claims in tort?

Definition and background

The two key and mutually supporting functions of tort law are to:

  1. •

    compensate people when their rights are infringed, and

  2. •

    provide a mechanism for redress, to thereby define and uphold those rights

The courts strive to strike a balance between promoting corrective justice and remedying wrongs on the one hand and not contributing to the creation of an overly litigious society that believes there must be a remedy for every misfortune on the other. In attempting to achieve this, judges consider the balance of risk and responsibility at both an individual and a societal level.

Tort law seeks to provide protection of varying degrees for physical and mental health, personal property and real property (ie land) as well as personal privacy and reputation.

For further guidance on the evolution of tort claims and the types of interest that tort law seeks

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Existing user? Sign-in TAKE A FREE TRIAL
Powered by Lexis+®
Latest Dispute Resolution News

UK Supreme Court unveils new digital platform to modernise court processes

The UK Supreme Court (UKSC) and Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) are set to launch new websites and a Case Management Portal on 4 December 2024. This digital transformation, part of a three year change programme, aims to revolutionise user interaction with the courts. The new system will enable digital filing of court documents, real-time case tracking and improved accessibility for all users, including litigants in person. The initiative, developed in collaboration with Capgemini and Q5, has undergone extensive user testing and is designed to enhance both judicial functions and educational outreach. This modernisation effort seeks to establish the UKSC and JCPC as world-leading, transparent and user-centric judicial institutions.

CJC concludes comprehensive review of pre-action protocols with publication of final report (phase two)

The Civil Justice Council (CJC) has concluded its extensive review of pre-action protocols (PAPs) with the publication of its phase two report. The first phase of the final report, published in August 2023, examined the role of PAPs in the civil justice system and explored the potential for digitalising pre-action processes. The second phase was published in November 2024. In the second (and final) phase report the CJC has set out its recommendations for the reform of various existing PAPs, including those for Personal Injury, Housing, Judicial Review, Debt, Construction and Engineering, Professional Negligence and Media and Communications. The report also recommends the creation of two new PAPs, one for dealing with child abuse and one for Multi-Track Claims in the Business and Property Courts of England and Wales (with a draft included at Appendix 1).

175th Practice Direction update—in force 20 November 2024

The Master of the Rolls and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice have approved the 175th Practice Direction (PD) update to the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR). The amendments come into force on 20 November 2024.  The 175th PD update contains amendments to the online Damages Claims Pilot under CPR PD 51ZB (the DCP), in order to correct a misalignment between the rules in CPR PD 51ZB and the operation of the DCP digital service, concerning the automatic dismissal of claims. CPR PD 51ZB is updated to state so that within four months of the date of issue of the claim, the claimant must not only notify the defendant of the claim and the claim details, but also notify the DCP that they have taken these steps to avoid automatic dismissal of the claim.

Dispute Resolution weekly highlights—21 November 2024

This week's edition of Dispute Resolution weekly highlights includes: the Ministry of Justice’s annual report and accounts for the financial year 2023–2024 and the Supreme Court decision in Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and others v Public and Commercial Services Union (Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999); dates for your diary; details of our most recently published content; and other information of general interest to dispute resolution practitioners.

View Dispute Resolution by content type :  
News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Popular documents

Negligence—key elements to establish a negligence claim

Negligence—key elements to establish a negligence claimThis Practice Note outlines the key elements for establishing a claim in negligence. For specific guidance on negligence in the context of company/parent company liability, banks and in professional negligence cases, see:•Practice Note: Tortious

Novation—why and how to novate a contract

Novation—why and how to novate a contractThere may be times when, rather than assigning the benefit of an agreement to a third party, the original parties wish instead to end their obligations to each other under that agreement and, in effect, recreate it, with the third party stepping into the

Void contracts

Void contractsThis Practice Note summarises the circumstances in which a contract may be declared void and the consequences when that happens. It distinguishes between void, voidable and unenforceable contracts and considers when a contract may be void due to: common mistake, unilateral mistake as

What is a tort?

What is a tort?This Practice Note provides an introduction to tort law by addressing three questions:•what does the concept of being liable in tort mean? And how does tort relate to contract and criminal law•how has the law of tort developed?•what is the scope of tort, ie what interests does it
Negligence—key elements to establish a negligence claim

Negligence—key elements to establish a negligence claim

Negligence—key elements to establish a negligence claimThis Practice Note outlines the key elements for establishing a claim in negligence. For specific guidance on negligence in the context of company/parent company liability, banks and in professional negligence cases, see:•Practice Note: Tortious

Novation—why and how to novate a contract

Novation—why and how to novate a contract

Novation—why and how to novate a contractThere may be times when, rather than assigning the benefit of an agreement to a third party, the original parties wish instead to end their obligations to each other under that agreement and, in effect, recreate it, with the third party stepping into the

Void contracts

Void contracts

Void contractsThis Practice Note summarises the circumstances in which a contract may be declared void and the consequences when that happens. It distinguishes between void, voidable and unenforceable contracts and considers when a contract may be void due to: common mistake, unilateral mistake as

What is a tort?

What is a tort?

What is a tort?This Practice Note provides an introduction to tort law by addressing three questions:•what does the concept of being liable in tort mean? And how does tort relate to contract and criminal law•how has the law of tort developed?•what is the scope of tort, ie what interests does it