KDEC 5060 - Introduction to tort Law

P. PETERSON : This introductory course on tort law will focus upon English law, but where time permits reference will be made to developments in tort law in other jurisdictions and to the Principles of European Tort Law. The course will cover the basic notions of tort law, with an emphasis on the law of negligence and notions of strict liability and vicarious liability.

JF. LE GAL : Informations à venir / Information to come.

Patricia PETERSON,Jean-François LE GAL,Matthieu GREGOIRE

Séminaire

English

P. PETERSON : Students will receive a weekly reading assignment to be completed in advance of each class, consisting of extracts of cases and other materials from the textbook and casebook. The course requires a substantial investment in preparation time prior to each class.

JF. LE GAL : Informations à venir / Information to come.

Spring 2024-2025

P. PETERSON : The exam typically consists of 3 questions to be answered in a 4-hour time period. Normally there is one essay question and two problem questions (cas pratique).
The examination is closed book.

JF. LE GAL : Presentations & drafting exercises 50% and Final exam 50%

Students will be asked to complete one group presentation, consisting of a mock trial opposing two teams of counsel/advocates:
a 10-minute presentation performed by a team of two counsel/advocates acting for the Claimant, followed by
a 10-minute presentation performed by another team of two counsel/advocates acting for the Defendant, followed by
a 2-minute right of reply by the Claimant's counsel/advocates, followed by
a 2-minute right of reply by the Defendant's counsel/advocates.
The presentations will be followed by questions by the lecturer and/or the class.
Students in the class will also be asked to provide their comments and thoughts on the presentations, and asked how they would have ruled had they been acting as judges in the case.
The two teams of advocates will be expected to exchange their "skeleton arguments", summarising their arguments in writing, no later than 3 days before the mock trial.

Students will complete a Final Exam:
Part 1: Case Studies
Part 2: Questions (‘question de cours')
The first part of the Final Exam will consist of 2 or 3 case studies. Each will be based on a scenario which the lecturer will prepare: e.g. a client attending to the offices of a lawyer, explaining his/her situation/issue and asking for advice. The task will consist of drafting the legal advice to the client.
The second part of the Exam will consist of “questions de cours” (or equivalent), based on what will have been studied in class.

Alternatively, should health restrictions be in place, students will complete an Oral Exam.
The Oral Exam will be organised via Teams.
It will be a one-to-one interview with the Examiner.
At the beginning of the Oral Exam, the student will be assigned a topic, in relation to which he/she will be asked to prepare a short oral presentation.
He/she will be granted 10 minutes on his/her own to prepare for the presentation.
At the end of the preparation time, the Oral Exam will start. It will last for approximately 10 minutes.
At the end of the presentation, a short interactive discussion will take place with the Examiner.

P. PETERSON : The course is taught using the common law case method, involving the study of the leading precedents relating to each area of tort law covered during the course. Students are expected to give one case presentation during the term and to participate in class discussions.

JF. LE GAL : Informations à venir / Information to come.