Torts - Notes-Summaries - Week 1 PDF

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1

DEFINITION, AIMS AND SCOPE OF THE LAW OF TORTS (1)

Trespass and the action on the case [B&D2.3-2.4] (a) The historical distinction

 Action on the case. 1. plaintiff must prove some damage to themselves or their property (if not, then no action on the case). There must be damage. 2. Direct interference by defendant. 3. Plaintiff burden to prove that the indirect action of the defendant was the actual cause of the damage to them or their property. In Australia, it is the directness of the defendant’s actions, not the intention to cause damage. (b)

Fault in trespass Negligence must be proven for a claim again someone injuring another, unintentionally when using a public way (footpath, hwy, park). Summary – For trespass to be actionable the plaintiff needs to establish intent to do the act (not necessarily to commit the trespass) or negligence. One has to be present.

(2)

Trespass to the person (a) Battery [B&D 3.1-3.13]

Any act that directly and either intentionally or negligently causes some physical contact with a person without their consent. Croucher v Cachia; [2016] NSWCA 132

Case CrouchervCachia[2016]NSWCA132 Facts Neighbours–gardeningincident–CachiacutCroucher’s TrespasstoPerson hedges–Croucherwalkedtowardhimwithshears,opening ‐Battery andclosingthemashedidso,whichledtoCachiabeingcut bytheshears. Issue1 S21CivilLiabilityAct2002(NSW)(CLA)–Inanactionfor theawardofpersonalinjurydamageswheretheactor omissionthatcausedtheinjuryordeathwasnegligence,a courtcannotawardexemplaryorpunitivedamagesor damagesinthenatureofaggravateddamages.  S3B(1)(a)CivilLiabilityAct2002(NSW)‐Exceptfors15B, 18(1),Part7andPart2A)TheprovisionsoftheCivil liabilityactdonotapplyinrespectofcivilliability proceedingswhen…(a)Theintentionalactisdonewiththe intenttocause–injury–death–sexualassaultorother sexualmisconduct.  Wass21excludedbecauseofs3B(1)(a)? 

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Law1

Outcome

Abatterywhichinvolvesmerelynegligentconductwillnot engages3b(1)(a)andthereforetheact(anddamages awardedunderit)doesapplytonegligentactsofbattery becauseitisthenatureoftheconductratherthanthecause fordoingthatconduct.  Inthecaseofrecklessness–Itisunclearastowhether s3b(1)(a)willapply.Itwillbeassessedonthecharacterof theconduct,ratherthanrelyingontheclaimbeingan ‘intentionaltort’.Iftherewasanintentiontocause(injury, death,sexualassaultorothersexualmisconduct),thenthe actdoesapply. Appealallowed,setasidejudgementmadeon18thMay 2015,partiesarereferredtocourt‐annexedmediation throughEquityDivisionofSupremeCourt.

Uguzcu v Macquarie Hotel Liverpool Pty Ltd [2016] NSWSC 843.

Case UguzcuvMacquarieHotelLiverpoolPtyLtd[2016]  NSWLR779 Uguzcaplayingpokiesatpub–somethingstuckinhis Facts TrespasstoPerson throat–spatitoutandwasforcedtoleave–laterthe ‐Battery securityguardapproachedhimacrosstheroadandstruck himinthebackoftheheadwithhiswalkietalkie–Uguzca wokeuponbenchandtookactionagainst5peopleinvolved underBatteryandNegligence–defendant3goingthrough insolvency. Issue  Law  Outcome  White v Johnson [2015] NSWCA 18; 87 NSWLR 779 Case

White v Johnson [2015] NSWCA 18; 87 NSWLR 779

Plaintiffallegedthatthedentaltreatmentshereceivedwas Facts Trespass to Person unnecessary, ineffective and negligently performed and - Battery thatconstitutedassault.PrimaFace,damageswereaward onthebasisthattheactdidnotapply,butthejudgedidn’t makeafindingastowhethertheactsdonebythedentist weredonewithintenttocauseinjuryasrequiredbys3B (1)(a). Issue  Law S3B(1)(a) 1. Theliabilitymustariseinrespectofanintentional act. 2. Theactmustbedonewithintenttocauseinjury. It is the act that and not the injury which must be intentional. 

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Outcome

the primary judge had not made any finding that the act was done with the intention to cause injury and the evidence could not sustain such a finding

Rixon v Start City Pty Ltd [2001] NSWCA 265

Case RixonvStarCityPtyLtd[2001]NSWCA265 TrespassandBattery–Casinoemployeetouchedaman’s Facts TrespasstoPerson shoulderthatwasbannedfromthecasinotogethis attention. ‐Battery Issue Didthetouchingoftheshoulderconstitutebattery? Law ContextoftouchingispertinenttoachargeofBattery.For batterytooccur,theremustbeahostileintentiontodothe act.Generaltouchingthatareasonablepersonwould consideracceptableinsociety,isnotconsideredbattery. Outcome  Collins v Wilcock [1984] 1 WLR 1172

Case CollinsvWilcock[1984]1WLR1172 Policewomantriedtoquestionanunknownfemale Facts TrespasstoPerson suspectedofsolicitingmen(prostitution).Thewoman ‐Battery refusedtotalktothepolicewomanandthecopgrabbedher bythearm,sheturnedaroundandscratchedthepolice woman.Shewasthenchargedwithassaultingapolice officer. Issue Didtheholdingofthearmbythepoliceofficeramountto battery? Law Distinctionbecauseassaultandbattery.Assaultisanact thatcausesanotherpersontoapprehendtheinflictionof physicalormentalharm.Batteryistheactualphysicalharm beingdonetotheperson.Consentisanexception.Mostof normaldailyactionsareapartoflifeandarenotunlawful. Everyoneinsocietyimpliedlyconsenttothem.Iftheaction amountstogenerallyacceptedconduct,thennobatteryhas occurred,ifitnotgenerallyacceptedconduct,thenpossible battery. Outcome Policecanrestrictsomeonewhenarresting(legally),butnot otherwise.Policewomanwasguiltyofbattery. Scott v Shepherd 96 Eng. Rep. 525 (K.B. 1773)

Case ScottvShepherd96Eng.Rep.525(K.B.1773)  Facts TrespasstoPerson ‐Battery Issue  Law  Outcome  (b)

Assault [B&D 3.15-3.20]

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Threat of Battery. It must be immediate or imminent for the threat to be an assault and it must be something that would cause a reasonable person to be fearful that the threat will be acted out. Unless it is known to the defendant that the plaintiff is of timid nature. State of New South Wales v McMaster [2015] NSWCA 228; 328 ALR 309, State of NSW v McMaster [NSWCA 228; 328 ALR 309 Justin was shot by cop Constable Fanning. Justin brought claims in negligence and trespass to the person. Fanning said he was acting in defence Trespass to the person of constable kleinman when he shot Justin. - Assault Sis and mum took the state to court claiming damages for nervous shock, depressive illness and associated sequalae. Issue Can a police officer lawfully shoot someone if they honestly believe that shooting that person is necessary to prevent a breach of the peace? Law Police officers exercising force during their duties are not excused from liability for battery by reason of an honest belief based on reasonable grounds that the force used was necessary to prevent a breach of the peace Outcome Cop was not negligent because he had no duty of care that was inconsistent with his obligations as a cop. State was liable to Justin in Battery. that was inconsistent with his obligations as a cop. State was liable to Justin in Battery. His sis and mum were successful too. Case Facts

State of New South Wales v Ibbett [2005] NSWCA 445 Case Facts Trespass to the person - Assault

Issue

Law

Outcome

State of NSW v Ibbett [2005] NSWCA 445 The plaintiffs son was being chased by police for an alleged driving offence. The son went into Mrs Ibbett’s garage and shut the garage door. The cop ducked under the closing door into Mrs Ibbett’s garage and pointed his revolver at the son, when she came out, the police briefly pointed the gun at her and then back at the son. Strip searched the son and charged him. Mrs Ibbett asked the police office to leave, he said no, but demanded she open the garage door for his partner to enter. Prima Face Mrs Ibbett was successful in her action for trespass and assault.

whethertheawardofexemplarydamageswas precluded by the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) (s21) and whether,inanyevent,theawardwasjustifiedinthe circumstances. Theproceedingswerewithrespectto“anintentionalact…do newithintenttocauseinjury”withins3B(1)(a)andtherefore s21isexcluded:  Thedefinitionof‘injury’ins11shouldbeappliedtotheterm in jury in s 3B(1)(a). The word ‘in jury’ is wide enough to encompass anxiety and distress. Consequently, Section 3B(1)(a) operates to exclude the application of the Act, includings21:  Thiswasnotanaction“wheretheactoromissionthatcaused theinjury…wasnegligence”.Whileitispossibletosucceedin trespasstothe personbased onnegligent conduct,thecase wasnotrunonthatbasis: (1)Appealdismissed (2)Allowthecross‐appealinpartandvarytheordersintheDistrictCourt soasto

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(a)setasideorders1and2 (b) in relation to the assault, add an additional amount of $10,000 on account aggravateddamages;and (c)setasidetheawardsofexemplarydamagesandawardinlieuthereof (i)anamountof$25,000withrespecttotheassault,and (ii)anamountof$20,000withrespecttothetrespass (3)DirectthatjudgmentbeenteredforthePlaintiffinthesumof$105,000 (4)OrdertheAppellanttopaytheRespondent’scostsoftheappealand crossappeal Barton v Armstrong [1969] 2 NSWLR 451

Case Facts Trespasstothe person–Assault  Issue Law

BartonvArmstrong[1969]2NSWLR451 Businessmanwasforcedtocommitoffencesinregardsto insidertradingbecausethedefendantthreatenedhimover thephone. Canthreatsoverthephoneconstituteassault? Threatsoverthephonecanconstituteassault,provideda reasonablepersonwouldfeelasthoughtheywerein immediateorimminentdangerofhavingthethreat happen.

Zanker v Vartzokas (1988) 34 Crim R 11

Case Facts  Trespasstothe person‐Assault Issue

Law Outcome

ZaniervVartzokas(1988)34CrimR11 Womanimprisonedinamovingcarandthreatenedbythe driverwithphysicalharmoncetheyarrivedat‘hismates house’.Shedidn’tknowwherethiswas,butthethreatwas imminent,thereforeassaulthadoccurred. Howimmediatemustthethreatenedphysicalviolencehave tobeaftertheutteranceofthethreatwhichcreatesthe fear? Thethreatmustcreateapprehensionofimmediateor,at least,imminentviolence. ...