UNIVERSITY OF DUBLIN
Trinity College
JUNIOR FRESH
LL.B.
LL.B. (Law and Business)
LL.B. (Law and Political Science)
LL.B. (Ling. Franc.)
LL.B. (Ling. Ger.)
LAW OF TORTS
PROFESSOR DESMOND RYAN
READING LIST 2020
This document is 38 pages in length, including this page. Please study it
carefully at the beginning of and throughout the module: in addition to
the required reading for the module it contains all instructions and
guidance in relation to the accompanying seminar series and the
assessments.
1
, UNIVERSITY OF DUBLIN
Trinity College
School of Law
LAW OF TORTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction to this Module
Substantive Module Topics 2020
Topic 1: Introduction to the Law of Torts
Topic 2: The Tort of Negligence
Topic 3: Limitation of Actions and Defences
Topic 4: Vicarious Liability
Topic 5: Defamation
Topic 6: Occupiers’ Liability
Topic 7: Employers’ Liability
Topic 8: Professional Negligence
Topic 9: The Tort of Nuisance and the Rule in Rylands v Fletcher
Topic 10: Damages in Tort Litigation
Topic 11: The Influence of the Constitution and the ECHR on Tort Law
Seminar Series 2020
Essay
2
, Introduction to this Module
Welcome to this module which deals with the Law of Torts.
1. Module Objectives
This module pursues a number of objectives, including:
Identifying the key functions and characteristics of the law of torts in
2020 and beyond;
Analysing in detail the ingredients of the key torts including
negligence; defamation; nuisance and other torts;
Exploring the interaction between tort law and human rights;
Analysing the nature of various remedies available in tort law.
2. Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
Identify and critically analyse the key principles underlying the law of
torts;
Use appropriate legal concepts, relevant judicial precedents and
statutory law to solve concrete practical problems arising in 2020;
Explain how tort law seeks to give effect to social policies as well as
address issues of personal responsibility;
Differentiate between liability for intentional wrongs, negligence and
strict liability;
Critically analyse the principles of compensation and their practical
application in specific contexts.
3. Module structure
The teaching structure comprises lectures and seminars. Attendance at all
lectures and seminars is essential in order to achieve the learning outcomes
of the module and to ensure adequate preparation for the assessments. The
teaching format in 2020 will be a blended format of live-streamed online
classes in real time, some pre-recorded online presentations, and in-person
teaching in College if and when feasible.
Seminars are arranged according to your seminar group.
3
, 4. Reading lists
All reading lists for lectures and seminars in this module are contained in the
herein document, which you should consult closely throughout and use as
your reference point for engaging in your own study and research for the
module. An electronic version is available in the Torts page on Blackboard.
5 Blackboard.
Please consult Blackboard frequently for updates and announcements
relating to the module, to access content, and for the submission of
assignments.
6. Key materials and How to Use this Reading List
As a common law subject, Torts requires close reading of primary materials,
that is, cases and statutes. In addition to these primary materials, it is very
important to read a wide range of secondary materials, including academic
articles and text books.
The definitive text book on the law of torts in this jurisdiction is that by
McMahon and Binchy, Law of Torts (Bloomsbury, 4th edition, 2013). This will
be available as an e-book on the Library catalogue website.
Two other very helpful textbooks are Quill, Torts in Ireland (4th edition, 2014),
and Healy, Principles of Irish Torts (Clarus Press, 2006).
I do not require students to purchase any text for this module. If you wish to
purchase a book, I have arranged discounts with the publishers of McMahon
and Binchy and will provide details of same once the module begins.
Where an asterisk (*) appears in front of a case or article citation, it denotes
particularly crucial reading on which detailed focus will be placed in lectures.
7. Visiting Students
4
Trinity College
JUNIOR FRESH
LL.B.
LL.B. (Law and Business)
LL.B. (Law and Political Science)
LL.B. (Ling. Franc.)
LL.B. (Ling. Ger.)
LAW OF TORTS
PROFESSOR DESMOND RYAN
READING LIST 2020
This document is 38 pages in length, including this page. Please study it
carefully at the beginning of and throughout the module: in addition to
the required reading for the module it contains all instructions and
guidance in relation to the accompanying seminar series and the
assessments.
1
, UNIVERSITY OF DUBLIN
Trinity College
School of Law
LAW OF TORTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction to this Module
Substantive Module Topics 2020
Topic 1: Introduction to the Law of Torts
Topic 2: The Tort of Negligence
Topic 3: Limitation of Actions and Defences
Topic 4: Vicarious Liability
Topic 5: Defamation
Topic 6: Occupiers’ Liability
Topic 7: Employers’ Liability
Topic 8: Professional Negligence
Topic 9: The Tort of Nuisance and the Rule in Rylands v Fletcher
Topic 10: Damages in Tort Litigation
Topic 11: The Influence of the Constitution and the ECHR on Tort Law
Seminar Series 2020
Essay
2
, Introduction to this Module
Welcome to this module which deals with the Law of Torts.
1. Module Objectives
This module pursues a number of objectives, including:
Identifying the key functions and characteristics of the law of torts in
2020 and beyond;
Analysing in detail the ingredients of the key torts including
negligence; defamation; nuisance and other torts;
Exploring the interaction between tort law and human rights;
Analysing the nature of various remedies available in tort law.
2. Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
Identify and critically analyse the key principles underlying the law of
torts;
Use appropriate legal concepts, relevant judicial precedents and
statutory law to solve concrete practical problems arising in 2020;
Explain how tort law seeks to give effect to social policies as well as
address issues of personal responsibility;
Differentiate between liability for intentional wrongs, negligence and
strict liability;
Critically analyse the principles of compensation and their practical
application in specific contexts.
3. Module structure
The teaching structure comprises lectures and seminars. Attendance at all
lectures and seminars is essential in order to achieve the learning outcomes
of the module and to ensure adequate preparation for the assessments. The
teaching format in 2020 will be a blended format of live-streamed online
classes in real time, some pre-recorded online presentations, and in-person
teaching in College if and when feasible.
Seminars are arranged according to your seminar group.
3
, 4. Reading lists
All reading lists for lectures and seminars in this module are contained in the
herein document, which you should consult closely throughout and use as
your reference point for engaging in your own study and research for the
module. An electronic version is available in the Torts page on Blackboard.
5 Blackboard.
Please consult Blackboard frequently for updates and announcements
relating to the module, to access content, and for the submission of
assignments.
6. Key materials and How to Use this Reading List
As a common law subject, Torts requires close reading of primary materials,
that is, cases and statutes. In addition to these primary materials, it is very
important to read a wide range of secondary materials, including academic
articles and text books.
The definitive text book on the law of torts in this jurisdiction is that by
McMahon and Binchy, Law of Torts (Bloomsbury, 4th edition, 2013). This will
be available as an e-book on the Library catalogue website.
Two other very helpful textbooks are Quill, Torts in Ireland (4th edition, 2014),
and Healy, Principles of Irish Torts (Clarus Press, 2006).
I do not require students to purchase any text for this module. If you wish to
purchase a book, I have arranged discounts with the publishers of McMahon
and Binchy and will provide details of same once the module begins.
Where an asterisk (*) appears in front of a case or article citation, it denotes
particularly crucial reading on which detailed focus will be placed in lectures.
7. Visiting Students
4
