Common law library

• Comprehensive but succinct coverage of the general principle, duties of care and liability issues under the tort of negligence, frequently cited in court.
  
• Gives guidance on all areas of negligence, covering both common law and statutory duty
• Explains the duty to take care, when it exists, between what parties it exists and the exceptions
• Investigates the remoteness of damages as a remedy
• Essential reference for every negligence case whether it is to do with personal injury, property or product liability
• Covers UK and Commonwealth jurisdictions

Written by Christopher Walton and Simon Wood who are both circuit judges, Roger Cooper a practising barrister specialising in negligence and Stephen Todd who is a professor of law at both Nottingham University and the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

• Part 2 on the Standard of care has been re written to reflect and summarise modern developments.
• All chapters have been extensively revised and updated to reflect a number of important decisions in the House of Lords over the last four years. These include:
• Rothwell v Chemical & Insulating Co Ltd (the requirement for damage and actionabilitiy of symptomless pleural plaques); Corr v IBC Vehicles (employer's liability for suicide of former employee); and A v Hoare (limitation in cases of assault; the test of significance under s14 of the Limitation Act 1980 and its interaction with s33).
• Also, in relation to the scope of the duty of care: Mitchell v Glasgow City Council; Trent Strategic Health Authority v Jain; Van Colle v Chief Constable of Hertfordshire; and Smith v Chief Constable of Sussex Police.
• The text has been amended to reflect the consideration given to the defence of illegality in Stone & Rolls Ltd. v Moore Stephens.
• There have been a trio of important decisions dealing with breach of statutory duty: Robb v Salamis (M&I) Ltd.; Spencer Franks v Brown & Root; and Smith v Northamptonshire County Council.
• Also includes reference to many cases decided in the Court of Appeal, in particular in relation to the quantification of damages in cases of catastrophic injury, the tests for causation, the application of the Fairchild principle, the limitation period in relation to negligence claims and decisions under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.

PART I: GENERAL PRINCIPLES

• The Meaning of Negligence
• The Duty to Take Care
• Principal Defences and Discharges from Liability
• Damages
• Proof and Causation

PART II: STANDARD OF CARE

• The Standard of Care
• Dangerous Premises
• Persons Professing Some Special Skill
• Highways and Transport
• Employment at Common Law

PART III: STATUTORY DUTY

• Liability for Breach of Statutory Duty

PART IV: ABSOLUTE OR STRICT LIABILITY

• Dangerous Things: Rylands & Fletcher
• Animals
• Products Liability

PART V: DEATH

• Death and Causes of Action

PART IV: MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS

• Insurance and Other Compensation Schemes