BA.LL.B & BSc.LL.
B LAW OF TORTS, CONSUMER L T P C
(102) PROTECTION AND MOTOR VEHICLE
ACT
Version1.1 4 0 0 4
Pre-requisites//Exposure
co-requisites
Course Description
The Law of Torts is primarily concerned with redressal of wrongful civil actions
by awarding compensation. In a society where men live together, conflicts of
interests are bound to occur and they may from time to time cause damage to one
or the other. In addition, with the rapid industrialization, tortious liability has come
to be applied against manufacturers and industrial units. The Law of Torts had
originated from Common Law and by and large this branch of law continues to be
uncodified. Tortious liability has been codified only to a very limited extent such
as workmen’s compensation, motor vehicle accidents, consumer protection and
many more.
As the Law of Torts is basically a judge made law, students are required to study it
in the light of judicial pronouncements. They are required to equip themselves with
the latest developments extending to the entire course. Keeping in mind all these
aspects, the syllabus has been framed and it will surely fulfill the changing legal
perspective in the post liberalized era.
Pedagogy
A various learning methods will be used which will emphasize a cooperative learning format.
Student led discussions and presentations will be combined with instructor facilitated
experiences and lectures. Specific methods include:
Class Room Discussion
Teaching Assignment
Presentations
Case Studies
Projects
Seminar
Panel Discussion
Evaluation Scheme:
Sl. Components Weightage
No. (Max. Marks)
1 Project Submission 20
2 Project Presentation 10
3 Seminar 10
4. Teaching Assignment 10
5. Semester End Examination 50
6 Total 100
COURSE OUTLINE
Module 1: Introduction
Nature, Definition and Evolution of Law of Torts
Reasons for slow development of Law of Torts in India
Law of Tort or Law of Torts
Ubi Remedium Ibi Jus- Ubi Jus Ibi Remedium
Injuria sine Damno- Damnum sine Injuria
Tort, Contract, Crime and Breach of Trust distinguished
Mental Element and Causation in Torts
Readings Material:
Winfield & Jolowicz on Torts, Sweet & Maxwell (2002)
WVH Rogers, Winfield & Jolowicz on Torts (Sweet & Maxwell 2002) 16th Ed
Ratanlal & Dhirajlal, The Law of Torts, Revised by G.P. Singh (Wadhwa and Co.
Nagpur, 2004) p. (1-21)
Clerk and Lindsell, Clerk and Lindsell on Torts, Margaret R. Brazier, Daniel Alexander
(ed.), (Sweet & Maxwell, 17th Ed., 19995) p. (1-01 – 1-56)
Cases:
Ashby v. White (1703) 2 Ld. Raym. 938
Rookes v. Barnard (1964) AC 1027
White v. John Warwick & Co. Ltd. (1953) 2 WLR 1285
Acton v. Blundell (1843) 12 M & W 324
The Municipal Board of Agra v. Asharfial AIR 1922 All 1
Dr. Mohammed v. Dr. Mehfooz Ali 1991 MPLJ 559
Haynes v. Harwood (1935) 1 KB 146
Module 2: General Defenses
Volenti non fit injuria
Inevitable accident
Private defense
Necessity
Statutory Authority
Plaintiff’s Default
Vis Major
Reading Material:
Winfield & Jolowicz on Torts, Sweet & Maxwell (2002)
W.V.H Rogers, Winfield & Jolowicz on Torts (Sweet & Maxwell Publication, London, 2002) p.
(845 - 877)
Ratanlal and Dhirajlal, The Law of Torts, Revised by G.P Singh (Wadhwa and
Co. Nagpur, 2004) p. (1-21)
Clerk and Lindsel, Clerk and Lindsell on Torts, Margaret R. Brazier, Daniel Alexander(ed.),
(Sweet & Maxwell, 17th edn., 1995) p. (3-01 – 3-57)
Cases:
Hall v. Brooklands Auto Racing Club (1932) 1 KB 205
Smith v. Baker and Sons (1891) AC 325
South Indian Industrial Ltd. Madras v. Alamulu Anmal (1923) MWN 344
Haynes v. Harwood (1935) 1 KB 146
Ramchand Ram Nagaram Rice & Oil Mills Ltd. v. Municipal Commissioner of Purilla
Municipality (1943) ILR 22 Pat 359
Gillick v. West Norfolk & Wiseback Area Health Authority (1985) 3 All E R 402
Module 3: Vicarious Liability, Strict and Absolute Liability
Qui Facit Per Alium Facit Per Se
Master and Servant
Independent Contractor
Vicarious Liability of State
Rule in Rylands v. Fletcher – evolution and other aspects for understanding
Rule in M C Mehta v. Union of India – evolution and other aspects for understanding
Difference between Absolute and Strict Liability
Cases:
Lloyd v. Grace Smith & Co. (1912) AC 716
State Bank of India v. Shyama Devi AIR 1978 SC 1263
State Bank of Rajasthan v. Vidyawati AIR 1962 SC 933
Kasturilal Ralia Ram Jain v. State of UP AIR 1965 SC 1039
N Nagendra Rao & Co. v. State of A.P. AIR 1994 SC 2663
Chairman Railway Road v. Chandrina Das AIR 2000 SC 988
Peninsular and Oriental Navigation Company v. Secretary of State for India (1861) 5
Bom. HCR App. 1, p. 1
Mersery Docks and Harbour Board v. Coggins & Griffith (Liverpool) Ltd. (1947) AC 1,
17
Lister v. Hesley Hall (1856) 1 D & B 118
Tarry v. Ashton (1876) 1 QBD 314
M C Mehta v. Union of India (Olium Oil Case) AIR 1978 SC 1086
UCC v. Union of India (Bhopal Gas Leak) AIR 1990 SC 273Nemi Chand v. Wallace (1907)
ILR 34 Cal.
Tushar Kanthi Ghosh v. Bina Bhowmick (1952) 57 CWN 3778
R K Karanjia v. K M D Thakersey AIR 1970 Bom 424
Module 4: Specific Torts
Negligence
Nervous Shock
Product Liability
Defamation
Trespass
Nuisance
Cases:
Donoghue v. Stevenson (1932) AC 562
Municipal Corporation of Delhi v. Sushil Devi AIR 1999 SC 1929
Association of Victims of Upahar Tragedy v. Union of India 86 (2000) DLT 246
Lucknow Development Authority v. M K Gupta AIR 1994 SC 787
Indian Medical Association v. V P Shantha AIR 1996 SC 550
Nemi Chand v. Wallace (1907) ILR 34 Cal.
Tushar Kanthi Ghosh v. Bina Bhowmick (1952) 57 CWN 3778
R K Karanjia v. K M D Thakersey AIR 1970 Bom 424
Module 5: Consumer Protection Act, 1986
Objective and the Legislative History
Nature of Liability
Key Concepts- Consumer, Goods, Services, Unfair Trade Practice Restrictive Trade
Practice Defect and Deficiencies
Protection of Consumer Interest before enactment of Consumer Protection Act, 1986;
Consumer interest under Law of Torts
Consumer interest under Law of Contract
Consumer interest and Criminal Law
Medical Negligence
Real Estate Buyer Protection
Consumer Protection Councils and Dispute Redressal Machineries
Reading Material:
SK Verma and M Afzal Wani - A Treatise on Consumer Protection Laws, Indian Law
Institute 2004.
Krishnamurthi S – Consumer and Law-Redressal of Grievances (Vinoc Law
Publications, Lucknow, 2002)
Avtar Singh, Law Relating to Consumer Protection (Eastern Book Co, 2005)
DN Saraf – Law of Consumer Protection in India’, Tripath, Bombay (1990)
Cases:
Donoghue v Stevenson (1932) ac 562
Dr Laxman Balakrishna Joshi v Dr Trimbak Bapu Godbole AIR 1969 SC 128
Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co (1893) 1 QB 256
While v John Warrick and Co Ltd (1953) 1 WLR 1285
Indian Medical Association v VP Santha AIR 1996 SC 550
M/s India Photographic Co Ltd v HD shourie AIR 1999 SC 2453
Module-6: Motor Vehicles Act 1988 and Motor vehicle (Amendment) Act 2012
Objectives and legislative history,
Definitions;
licensing of drivers of Motor Vehicles:
Necessity for driving license;
Age limit in connection with motor vehicles;
Responsibilities of the owners of Motor Vehicles for contravention of Section 3 &4;
Restriction on holding of driving licenses ;
Grant of driving license;
Renewal, Revocation and Suspension of driving license;