Q. Define Tort and Law of Tort. Discuss its nature. What are its various ingredients?

What
conditions must be satisfied before a liability in Tort arises? "A tort is a civil injury but all civil
injuries are not Torts". Explain. Distinguish between Tort and Crime. How many kinds of Torts
are there?

The word tort has been derived from the latin word "tortum" which means to twist. In general, it means
conduct that adversely affects the legal right of others and is thus, "wrong". For a healthy society it is
necessary that it be free of anti-social elements and that an individual should have freedom to
exercise his rights without being restricted by others. Further, if there is a transgression of any right,
there must be a way to compensate or to restore the right. This is essentially what the maxim, "Ubi
just ibi remedium" implies. Where ever there is a right, there is a remedy. Indeed, a right has no value
if there is no way to enforce it. Such rights of individuals primarily originate from two sources -
contractual obligations and inherent rights that are available to all the citizens against every other
citizen, aka rights in rem. While the violation of contractual right has clear remedy that arises from
the contract itself, the violation of rights that are available to all the persons in general does not have
a clear remedy because there is no explicit contract between the two parties. Such violations are
called wrongs and it is for such wrongs that the law of torts has been developed. For example, one
has a right against all other persons to be free of noise in the night. If somebody starts playing music
loudly, then he violates one's right to be noise free. He is, thus, doing a wrong and even though there
is no contract between the two, one can sue him for damages.

There can be innumerable types of acts that can transgress the rights of others and it is not possible
to come up with a definition that can accommodate all the cases. However, the following are some
definitions from the experts -

Salmond - A tort is a civil wrong for which the remedy is action in common law for unliquidated
damages and which is not exclusively a breach of contract or breach of trust or other equitable
obligation.

Winfield - Tortious liability arises from the breach of duty primarily affixed by law. The duty is towards
persons in general and its breach is redressable by an action for unliquidated damages.

Fraser - Tort in an infringement of a right in rem of a private individual giving a right of compensation
at the suit of the injured party.

Thus, it can be seen that tort is an act while the law of tort is the branch of law that provides relief to
the person who has been injured due to a tortious act.

From the above definitions, it is clear that the nature of a tort is that it is a civil wrong. However, not all
civil wrongs are torts. For example, breach of contract and breach or trust are civil wrongs but are not
torts because their remedies exist in the contract itself. To determine if a particular act is a tort or not,
we must first make sure that it is a civil wrong. We should then make sure that it is NOT a breach of
contract or breach of trust.

Historically, crime and tort originated from the same root. Later on, they separated on the account that
a crime does not only affect the victim but also to the society as a whole to a great extent. Thus, the
branch of law that deals with criminal conduct evolved a lot faster than the branch of law that deals
with torts.

The nature of tort can be understood by distinguishing it from crime and contractual civil liabilities. It
can be said that tort is the residual of wrongful acts that are not crime and that do not fall under
contractual liabilities. Thus, if a wrongful act is neither crime nor a violation of a contract, it may fall
under tort. The damages are unliquidated and are decided only by the common sense of the courts.
The following differences between Tort and Crime and Tort and Breach of Contract, shows the true
nature of Tort.
Distinction between Tort and Breach of Contract
Tort Breach of Contract
Tort occurs when the right available to all the A breach of contract occurs due to a
persons in general (right in rem) is violated without breach of a duty (right in persona)
the existence of any contract. agreed upon by the parties themselves.
Victim is compensated for unliquidated damages as Victim is compensated as per the terms
per the judgment of the judges. Thus, damages are of the contract and damages are
always unliquidated. usually liquidated.
Duty is fixed by the law of the land and is towards all Duty towards each other is affixed by
the persons. the contract agreed to by the parties.
Doctrine of privity of contract does not apply because
Only the parties within the privity of
there is no contract between the parties. This was
contract can initiate the suit.
held in the case of Donaghue vs Stevenson 1932.
When a contract is void, there is no
question of compensation. For
Tort applies even in cases where a contract is void.
example, a contract with a minor is void
For example, a minor may be liable in Tort.
ab initio and so a minor cannot be held
liable for anything.
Justice is met by compensating the victim for his
injury and exemplary damages may also be awarded
Justice is met only by compensating
to the victim. In Bhim Singh vs State of J K AIR
the victim for actual loss.
1986 - the plaintiff was awarded exemplary damages
for violation of his rights given by art 21.

In the case of Donaghue vs Stevenson 1932, A purchased ginger beer in a restaurant for his woman
friend. She drank a part of it and poured the rest into a glass. Thereby, she saw a dead snail in the
drink. She sued the manufacturer. It was held that the manufacturer had a duty towards the public in
general for making sure there are no noxious things in the drink even though there was no contract
between the purchaser and the manufacturer.

The same principal was applied in the case of Klaus Mittelbachert vs East India Hotels Ltd AIR
1997. In this case, Lufthansa Airlines had a contract with Hotel Oberoi Intercontinental for the stay of
its crew. One of the co-pilots was staying there took a dive in the pool. The pool design was defective
and the person's head hit the bottom. He was paralyzed and died after 13 yrs. The defendants
pleaded that he was a stranger to the contract. It was held that he could sue even for the breach of
contract as he was the beneficiary of the contract. He could also sue in torts where plea of stranger to
contract is irrelevant. The hotel was held liable for compensation even though there was no contract
between the person and the hotel and the hotel was made to pay 50Lacs as exemplary damages.

Distinction between Tort and Crime

Tort Crime
Tort occurs when the right available to
Tort occurs when the right available to all the persons in
all the persons in general (right in rem)
general (right in rem) is violated without the existence of any
is violated and it also seriously affects
contract.
the society.
Act is comparatively more serious and
Act is comparatively less serious and affects only the person. affects the person as well as the
society.
Intention is the most important element
Intention is usually irrelevant. in establishing criminal liability. A crime
cannot happen without Mens Rea.
It is a private wrong. It is a public wrong.
Since it is a private wrong the wronged individual must file a Since it is a public wrong, the suit is
suit himself for damages. filed by the govt.
The suit is for damages. The suit is for punishment.
There is no compromise for the
Compromise is possible between the parties. For example, a
punishment. For example, if a person is
person who has been defamed, can compromise with the
guilty of murder, he cannot pay money
defamer for a certain sum of money.
and reduce his sentence.
Compounding is possible. Compounding is generally not possible.
Justice is met by compensating the victim for his injury and Justice is met by punishing the
exemplary damages may also be awarded to the victim. aggressor by prison or fine. In some
In Bhim Singh vs State of J K AIR 1986 - the plaintiff was specific cases as given in IPC
awarded exemplary damages for violation of his rights given compensation may be given to the
by art 21. victim.
Several criminal acts such as assault
Tortious acts are usually not criminal acts. and battery are also grounds for
tortious suit.

Ingredients of Tort (Conditions that must be satisfied before a liability in Tort arises.)

There are three essential elements for an act to be liable under Tort.

1. Wrongful act or omission - There must be some act or omission of a duty on the part of the
defendant. For a tort to happen, the person must have first either done something that he was not
expected to do or omitted to do something that he was supposed to do.
Municipal Corp of Delhi vs Subhagvanti AIR 1966 - A clock tower was not in good repairs.
It fell and killed several people. MCD was held liable for its omission.

2. Duty imposed by law - The act or omission of an action must be required by law or the duty must
be imposed by law. This means that if an act that is prohibited by law causes harm, it is liable under
tort. Similarly, if the omission of an act that is required by law, causes harm, then it is liable under tort.
For example, law requires that the driver of a vehicle must drive carefully and if driving without care, a
pedestrian is hit, the omission of the act of driving carefuly is liable under tort. However, if the
worshipers stop going to a temple and thereby cause the priest to lose money, this action is not liable
under tort because going to temple is not an act that is required by law. Such duties that are required
by law are usually towards all the people in general.
Donaghue vs Stevenson 1932 - Held that the manufacturer of a drink has a legal duty
towards the consumers to ensure that noxious substances are not included in the drink.

3. Injury - The act or the omission must result in legal damage or injury i.e. violation of a legal right
vested in the plaintiff. This means that the act or omission must cause a damage that is recognized by
law as wrongful. For example, a person has a legal right to enjoy his property and if someone throws
trash in it, this is a violation of his legal right and is liable under tort. However, it is possible that a legal
right is violated without causing any physical or real damage. This is explained in the maxim - Injuria
Sine Damno.
Injuria Sine Damno -
Ashby vs White 1703 - The defendant wrongfully prevented the plaintiff from voting. Even
though there was no damage, the defendant was held liable.
Bhim Singh vs State of J K AIR 1986 - Plaintiff was an MLA and was wrongfully arrested
while going to assembly session. He was not produced before a magistrate within the requisite period.
It was held that this was the violation of his fundamental rights. Even though he was release later, he
was awarded 50,000RS as exemplary damages by SC.

On the other hand, it is possible that a person suffers a huge loss or damage but none of his legal
rights are violated. This is called Damnum sine Injuria. In such cases, there is no tortious act.
Damnum Sine Injuria -
 Glaucester Grammar School's case 1410 - Defendant opened a rival grammar school in
front of an existing one thereby causing the fees of the existing one to be reduced from 40pence to 12
pence. He was not held liable as he did not violate any legal right of the plaintiff.
Ushaben vs BhagyaLaxmi Chitra Mandir AIR 1978 - Plaintiff sought a permanent injunction
against the cinema house to restrain them from showing the movie Jai Santoshi Maa. It was
contended that the movie depicts the goddesses Laxmi, Saraswati, and Parvati in bad light, which is
offensive to the plaintiff. It was held that hurt to religious sentiments is not recognized as a legal
wrong. Since there was no violation of a legal right, an injunction was not granted.
Chesmore vs Richards 1879 - Plaintiff had been drawing water from underground for past
60 yrs. The defendant sunk a bore well on his land and drew huge quantity of water which diminished
the water supply of the plaintiff. It was held that the defendant was not liable because he was only
exercising his right and did not violate any right of the plaintiff.

Harm due to negligence - A person is not liable in tort even if he causes harm due to
negligence but does not cause injury. In Dickson vs Reuter's Telegram Co 1877, the defendant
company delivered a telegram that was not meant for the plaintiff to the plaintiff. Based on the
telegram, the plaintiff supplied some order which was not accepted by the sender of the telegram.
Plaintiff suffered heavy losses and sued the defendant company. It was held that the company owed
a contractual duty only to the sender of the telegram and not to the receiver. Hence they were not
liable.

Harm due to malice - If a person has not caused an injury even if he does an act with malice,
he is not liable. In Bradford Corporation (mayor of) vs Pickles 1895, the defendants sunk a shaft
in their own land which caused the water to become discoloured and unsuitable for the plaintiff. It was
held that even if the defendant did it with malice, he had not violated any right of the plaintiff and
hence was not liable.

4. Legal Remedy - Historically, a person whose legal right was violated was allowed to sue only upon
a permission from the King. There were only certain predefined torts for which the king's permission
could be obtained. Thus, it was necessary to have legal remedy for that particular violation before an
action for damages could be started.
However, now, such a requirement is not there. It has been accepted that there can be many kinds of
torts and if a violation of a legal right has happened, the person is enttitled to sue.

Kinds of Torts
As mentioned before there can be innumerable type of acts that violate the legal right of others. The
law of tort is therefore ever evolving. New ways in which the rights are violated come to light
everyday. However, they can be classified on the basis of way of incurrment of liability into the
following three categories -

1. Intentional - Wrongful acts that are done intentionally, irrespective of with or without malice,
belong to this category. For example, torts such as assault, battery, trespass to land, false
imprisonment are intentional torts.
2. Negligent Conduct - Wrongful acts that are done without any intention but because of not
taking proper care that is required by law fall into this category.
3. Strict Liability - Acts that are neither done intentionally nor do involve any negligence, but still
cause an injury to other are liable under the concept of strict liability as propounded
in Rylands vs Fletcher. In strict liability cases, the defendant is liable even if it acted
reasonably. There are 3 types of strict liability cases:
1- keeping wild animals
2- dangerous, legal activities such as blasting roads
3- the manufacture of products (products liability)

Torts can also be classified according to the type of damage -

1. Physical Torts - Causing physical hurt to body such as assault, battery. It can happen with
intention or even with negligence.
 2. Abstract Torts - Causing damage to mind or reputation such as defamation.
3. Tort involving property - For example, Trespass to land.
4. Tort involving legal right - For example, false imprisonment.
5. Nuisance - Causing unreasonable restriction towards exercise of one's legal right.

Law of Torts – UNIT I: Revision Notes for LL.B – First Year

Introduction to the Law of Torts
The word tort is of French origin and is equivalent of the English word wrong. It is derived from the Latin
word tortum, which means twisted or crooked. It implies conduct that is twisted or crooked. Tort is commonly
used to mean a breach of duty amounting to a civil wrong.
Salmond defines tort as a civil wrong for which the remedy is a
common law action for unliquidated damages and which is not exclusively the
breach of a contract or the breach of a trust or other merely equitable
obligation.
A tort arises due to a person’s duty to others which is created by one law or the other. A person who commits a
tort is known as a tortfeaser, or a wrongdoer. Where they are more than one, they are called joint tortfeaser.
Their wrongdoing is called tortuous act and they are liable to be sued jointly and severally.
The principle aim of the Law of tort is compensation for victims or their
dependants. Grants of exemplary damages in certain cases will show that
deterrence of wrong doers is also another aim of the law of tort.
Evolution of Law of Torts in India
The law of torts in India is mainly the English law of torts which is based on the principles of the ‘common
law’. This was made suitable to the Indian conditions in accordance with the principles of justice, equity and
good conscience. However, the application of tort laws in India is not a very regular event and one can even go
to the extent of commenting that tort as a law in India is far from being looked upon as a major branch of law
and litigation. In the Indian legal system, the concept of ‘punishment’ occupies a more prominent place than
‘compensation’ for wrongs.
It has been argued that the development of law of tort in India need not be on the same lines as in England.
In M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, Justice Bhagwati said, “we have to evolve new principles and lay down new
norms which will adequately deal with new problems which arise in a highly industrialized economy. We
cannot allow our judicial thinking to be constructed by reference to the law as it prevails in England or for the
matter of that in any foreign country. We are certainly prepared to receive light from whatever source it comes
but we have to build our own jurisprudence.”
Objectives of Law of Torts
 to determine the rights between parties to dispute
 to protect certain rights recognized by law
 to prevent the continuation or repetition of a harm
 to restore the property to its rightful owner
Scope of Tort
Tort & Contract
1. In a contract, the parties fix the duties themselves whereas in torts, the law fixes the duty.
2. A contract stipulates that only the parties to the contract can sue and be sued on it (privity of contract)
while in tort, privity is not needed in order to sue or be sued.
3. In the case of contract, the duty is owed to a definite person(s) while in tort, the duty is owed to the
community at large i.e. duty in- rem.
4. In contract remedy may be in the form of liquidated or unliquidated damages whereas in tort,
remedies are always unliquidated.
Tort & Crime
1. In tort, the action is brought in the court by the injured party to obtain compensation whereas in
crime, proceedings are conducted by the state.
2. The aim of litigation in torts is to compensate the injured party while in crime; the offender is
punished by the state in the interest of the society.
3. A tort is an infringement of the civil rights belonging to individuals while a crime is a breach of public
rights and duties, which affect the whole community.
4. Parties involved in criminal cases are the Prosecution verses the Accused person while in Torts, the
parties are the Plaintiff versus the Defendant.
Constituents of Tort
The law of tort is an instrument to enforce reasonable behavior and respect the rights and interests of one
another. A protected interest gives rise to a legal right, which in turn gives rise to a corresponding legal duty. An
act, which infringes a legal right, is wrongful act but not every wrongful act is a tort.
To constitute a tort or civil injury therefore:
1. There must be a wrongful act or omission.
2. The wrongful act or omission must give rise to legal damage or actual damage and;
3. The wrongful act must be of such a nature as to give rise to a legal remedy in the form of an action for
damages.
The wrongful act or omission may however not necessarily cause actual damage to the plaintiff in order to be
actionable. Certain civil wrongs are actionable even though no damage may have been suffered by the plaintiff.
01. Wrongful Act
An act or omission that prejudicially affect one’s legal right. Such legally violative wrongful act is called
as actus reus. Thus, liability for a tort arises when the wrongful act amounts to either an infringement of a legal
private right or a breach.
An act, which at first, appears to be innocent may become tortuous if it invades the legal right of another person
e.g. the erection in one’s own land which obstructs light to a neighbors’ house. Liability for a tort arises when
the wrongful act amounts to an infringement of a legal right or a breach.
02. Damage
The sum of money awarded by court to compensate damage is called damages. Damage means the loss or harm
caused or presumed to be suffered by a person as a result of some wrongful act of another. Legal damage is not
the same as actual damage.
The real significance of legal damage is illustrated by two maxims namely:
Injuria sine damno and Damnum sine injuria
Injuria sine damno (Injury without damage)
It means violating of a legal right without causing any harm, loss or damage to the plaintiff. There are two kinds
of torts: firstly those torts which are actionable per se, i.e. actionable without the proof of any damage or loss.
For instance, trespass to land, is actionable even though no damage has been caused as a result of the trespass.
Secondly, the torts which are actionable only on the proof of some damage caused by an act. For successful
actions the only thing which has to be proved is that the plaintiff’s legal right has been violated, i.e. there is
injuria.
Case Law: Refusal to register a voter was held as and injury per-se even when the favorite candidate won the
election – Ashby Vs. White (1703). This rule is based on the old maxim of law, Ubi jus ibi remedium, which
means that where there is a right, there is a remedy.
Damnum sine injuria (Damage without injury)
It means “There may be an injury inflicted without any act of injustice.” There is another term like it that is
“damnum absque injuria“, which means damage or harm without an injury in the legal sense. In other words a
loss or injury to someone which does not give that person a right to sue the person causing the loss.
Case Laws:
In the case of Mayor & Bradford Corporation Vs. Pickles (1895), Pickles was annoyed by the refusal of
Bradford Corporation to purchase his land for their water undertaking. Out of spite, he sank a shaft on his land,
which had the effect of discoloring and diminishing the water of the Corporation, which percolated through his
land. The House of Lords held that the action of Pickles was lawful and no matter how ill his motive might be
he had a right to act on his land in any manner that so pleases him.
In the case of Mogul Steamship Co. Vs. Me-Gregory (1892). Certain ship owners combined together. In order
to drive a ship-owner out of trade by offering cheap freight charges to customers who would deal with them.
The plaintiff who was driven out of business sued the ship-owner, for loss caused to him by their act. The court
held that a trader who is ruined by legitimate competition of his rivals could not get damages in tort.
03. Remedy – Development of Ubi jus ibi Remedium
The law of torts is said to be a development of the maxim ubi jus ibi remedium (there is no wrong without a
remedy). Whenever the common law gives a right or prohibits an injury, it also gives a remedy. It is an
elementary maxim of equity jurisprudence that there is no wrong without a remedy.
The maxim means only that legal wrong and legal remedy are correlative terms.
A tort is a civil injury, but all civil injuries are not torts. The wrongful act must come under the category of
wrongs for which the remedy is a civil action for damages. The essential remedy for a tort is an action for
damages, but there are other remedies also e.g., injunction, restitution, etc.
Case Law:
In the case of Abbot v. Sullivan, the court held that there is a right to receive a time-barred debt but there is no
remedy to recover it.
Foundations of Tortious Liability
Tortious liability arises from the breach of a duty primarily fixed by the law: such duty is towards persons
generally and its breach is compensated by an action for unliquidated damages.
• Theory 1: By Winfield – Law of Tort – General Liability: all injuries done to another person are torts,
unless there be some justification recognized by the law
• Theory 2: By Salmonds – Pigeon Theory – Law of Torts: there is a definite number of torts (assault,
battery, defamation) outside which liability in tort does not exist
Case Law:
Rougher, J., described in the case of John Munroe (Acrylics) Ltd. v. London Fire and Civil Defence
Authority, “It is truism to say that we live in the age of compensation. There seems to be a growing belief that
every misforture must, in pecuniary terms at any rate, be laid at someone else’s door, and after every mishap, the
cupped palms are outstretched for the solace of monetary compensation.”
General Elements of Torts
Act & Omission
To constitute a tort, there must be a wrongful act. The word “act” is used to include both positive and negative
acts i.e., acts and omissions. Wrongful acts which make a person liable in tort are positive acts and sometimes
omissions. They must be distinguished from natural calamities, and even from mere thoughts and intentions.
Failure to do something in doing an act is a bad way of performing the act. For example, if a lawyer gives an
opinion without taking notice of the change in law brought about by a reported decision of the Supreme Court,
he would not be guilty of an omission but of performing the act of giving his opinion in a bad way.
Where as an omission is failure to do an act as a whole. Generally, the law does not impose liability for mere
omissions. An omission incures liability when there is a duty to act. For example, a person cannot be held
responsible for the omission of not rescuing a stranger child whom he sees drowning even though he can rescue
him without any appreciable exertion or risk of harm to himself. But the result would be different if a parent or
guardian is failed to attempt to rescue the child. In that case, it would be an omission as there is a duty to act.
Voluntary Acts & Involuntary Acts
A voluntary act may be distinguished from an involuntary act as only voluntary acts have liability. Voluntary act
can be understand based on its willed mascular contraction, its circumstances and its consequences. For
example, an act of murdering a person by shooting at him is one act and not merely the muscular contraction of
pressing the trigger.
An involuntary act does not give rise to any liability. For example, an involuntary act of trespass is not a tort.
Omissions like positive acts may also be voluntary or involuntary.
In the case of Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation, the Supreme Court held that the encroachments
committed by those persons are involuntary acts in the sense that those acts are compelled by inevitable
circumstances and are not guided by choice.
Mental elements
A voluntary act can be held in strict liability if there’s a presence of required mental element i.e., malice,
intention, negligence or motive in addition to the other necessary ingredients of the torts are present.
o Malice in Law and in Fact
Malice means spite or ill-will. However, in law malice has two distinct meanings such as: 1. Intentional doing of
a wrongful act and 2. Improper motive. In the first sense, malice is synonymous with intention and in the second
sense, malice refers to any motive which the law disapproves.
Malice with an intention of wrongful act is called as Malice in Law. It is also called as implied malice. In a
legal sense, malice means a wrongful act, done intentionally, without just cause or excuse. For example, if a
person give a perfect stranger a blow likely to produce death, the person do it out of malice because, he do it
intentionally and without just cause or excuse.
Malice with an improper motive is called as Malice in fact. It is also called as express malice. Malice in fact is
liable for malicious prosecution.
Wrongful acts of which malice is an essential element are:
 Defamation
 Malicious prosecution
 Willful and malicious damage to property
o Intention, Negligence and Recklessness
Intention is an internal fact, something which passes in the mind and direct evidence of which is not available.
There’s a popular saying that it is common knowledge that the thought of man shall not be tried, for the devil
himself knoweth not the thought of man.
In general terms, negligence is “the failure to use ordinary care” through either an act or omission. That is,
negligence occurs when:
 somebody does not exercise the amount of care that a reasonably careful person would use under the
circumstances; or
 somebody does something that a reasonably careful person would not do under the circumstances.
In the case of Dulieu Vs. White & Sons (1901), the plaintiff, a pregnant woman, was sitting behind the counter
of her husband?s bar when suddenly a horse was driven into the bar. Fearing her personal safety, she suffered
nervous shock and gave birth to a premature baby. In the circumstances, the court held that the plaintiff was
entitled to recover in negligence.
Recklessness is also called as gross negligence. Gross negligence means conduct or a failure to act that is so
reckless that it demonstrates a substantial lack of concern for whether an injury will result. It is sometimes
necessary to establish “gross negligence” as opposed to “ordinary negligence” in order to overcome a legal
impediment to a lawsuit. For example, a government employee who is on the job may be immune from liability
for ordinary negligence, but may remain liable for gross negligence.
o Motive
Motive is the ulterior object or purpose of doing an act. It differs from intention in two ways. First, intention
relates to the immediate objective of an act, whereas, motive refers to the ulterior objective. Secondly, motive
refers to some personal benefit of satisfaction which the actor desires whereas intention need not be so.
For example, When A poisons B, the immediate objective is to kill B and so this is A’s intention. The ulterior
objective of A may be to secure B’s estate by inheritance or under a will executed by him and this objective will
be A’s motive. Motive is generally irrelevant in tort.
In the case of Mayor & Co. of Bradford v. Pickles, A sank a well on his land and thereby cut off underground
water-supply from his neighbour B, and B’s well was dried up. It was not unlawful for a land-owner to intercept
on his own land underground percolating water and prevent it from reaching the land of his neighbour. The act
did not become unlawful even though A’s motive in so doing was to coerce B to buy his land at his own price.
A, therefore, was not liable to B, however improper and malicious his motive might be.
o Malfeasance, Misfeasance, Non-feasance
The term “Malfeasance” applies to the commission of an unlawful act. It is generally applicable to those
unlawful acts, such as trespass, which are actionable per se and do not require proof of intention or motive.
The term “Misfeasance” is applicable to improper performance of some lawful act for example when there is
negligence.
The term “non-feasance” applies to the omission to perform some act when there is an obligation to perform it.
Non-feasance of gratuious undertaking does not impose liability, but misfeasance does.
 M.C. Mehta v. Union of India
o Fault
If mental elements such as intention, negligence, malice or motive together with an act or omission which is
violative of a right recognized by law plays an important role in creating liability. Such tortious liability has an
element of fault to support it. But there is a sphere of tortious liability which is known as absolute or strict
liability, where the element of fault is conspicuously absent.
In the case of M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, the rule of strict liability is laid down that an enterprise engaged
in a hazardous or inherently dangerous activity is strictly and absolutely liable for the harm resulting from the
operation of such activity.
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Q. Describe general exceptions regarding Torts that are not actionable / General Defences for
Torts.

Even when a plaintiff provides proof for the existance of all the essential elements of a tort, it is
possible in some cases for the defendant to take certain defences which can remove his liability,
These defences are nothing but specific situations or circumstances in which a defendant is given a
waiver for his tortious action. These are as follows -

1. Volenti Non fit Injuria

When a person consents for infliction of an harm upon himself, he has no remedy for that in Tort. That
means, if a person has consented to do something or has given permission to another to do certain
thing, and if he is injured because of that, he cannot claim damages. For example, A purchases
tickets for a Car race and while watching the race, an collision of cars happens and the person is
injured. Here, by agreeing to watching the race, which is a risky sport,it is assumed that he voluntarily
took on the risk of being hurt in an accident. Thus, he cannot claim compensation for the injury.
Such a consent may be implied or express. For example, a person practicing the sport of Fencing
with another, impliedly consents to the injury that might happen while playing.

In Woolridge vs Sumner 1963, the plaintiff a photographer was taking photographs at a horse show,
during which one horse rounded the bend too fast. As the horse galloped furiously, the plaintiff was
frightened and he fell in the course. He was seriously injured. It was held that the defendants had
taken proper care in closing the course and the plaintiff, by being in the show, agreed to take the risk
of such an accident. The defendants were not held liable.

However, the action causing harm must not go beyond the limit of what has been consented. For
example, in a sport of fencing, a person consents to an injruy that happens while playing by the rules.
If he is injured due to an action that violates the rules, he can claim compensation because he never
consented to an injury while playing without rules.
In Laxmi Rajan vs Malar Hospital 1998, a woman consented for a surgery to remove a lump from
her breast. But the hospital removed her uterus as well without any genuine reason. It was held that
removing of her uterus exceed beyond what she had consented for.

Also, the consent must be free. It must not be because of any compulsion. Thus, if a servant was
compelled by the master to do a certain task despite his protests, and if he is injured while doing it,
the master cannot take the defence of volenti non fit injuria because the consent was not free.

Exceptions - In the following conditions, this defence cannot be taken even if the plaintiff has
consented -

1. Rescue Conditions - When the plaintiff sufferes injury while saving someone. For example,
A's horse is out of control and is galloping towards a busy street. B realizes that if the horse
reaches the street it will hurt many people and so he bravely goes and control's the horse. He
is injured in doing so and sue's A. Here A cannot take the defence that B did that act upon his
own consent. It is considered as a just action in public interest and the society should reward
it instead of preventing him from getting compensation.
2. Unfair Contract Terms - Where the terms of a contract are unfair, the defendant cannot take
this defence. For example, even if a laundry, by contract, absolves itself of all liability for
damage to clothes, a person can claim compensation because the contract is unfair to the
consumers.

2. Plaintiff the wrongdoer

A person cannot take advantage of his own wrong. This principle has been in use since a long time as
it is just and equitable. For example, a person trespassing one another's property is injured due to
darkness. He cannot claim compensation because he was injured due to an action which was wrong
on his part. However, this defence exists only if the injury happens because of a wrongful act of the
plaintiff. It does not exist if the injury happens because of a wrongful act of the defendant even if the
plaintiff was doing a wrongful but unrelated act. For example, in Bird vs Holbrook 1828, the plaintiff
was trespassing on the defendant's property and he was hurt due to a springgun. The defendant had
put spring guns without any notice and was thus held liable.

3. Inevitable Accident
Accident means an unexpected occurance of something that could not have been predicted or
prevented. In such a case, the defendants will not be liable if they had no intention to cause it and if
the plaintiff is injured because of it. For example, in Stanley vs Powell 1891, the plaintiff and the
defendant were members of a shooting party. The defendant shot a bird but the bulled ricocheted off
a tree and hit the plaintiff. The defendant was not held liable because it was an accident and the
defendant did not intent it and could neither have prevented it.

However, the defence of Inevitable Accident is not a license to negligence. For example, A has hired
B's car. While driving, one of the tires bursts and causes accident injuring A. Here, if the tires were
worn out and were in bad condition, it would be negligence of B and he would be held liable for A's
injuries.

4. Act of God
An act of God in a legal sense is an extraordinary occurance of circumstance which could not have
been predicted or prevented and happens because of natural causes. Nobody can predict, prevent, or
protect from a natural disaster such an an earthquake or flood. Thus, it is unreasonable to expect a
person to be liable for damages caused by such acts of God. There are two essential condtions for
this defence - the event must be due to a natural cause and it must be extraordinary or some thing
that could not have been anticipated or expected. For example, heavy rains in the monsoon are
expected and if a wall falls and injures someone, it cannot be termed an act of god because
protection for such expected conditions should have been taken. But if a building falls due to a
massive earhquake and injures and kills people, this defence can be used.
In Ramalinga Nadar vs Narayan Reddiar AIR 1971, it was held that criminal activities of an unruly
mob is not an act of God.
5. Private Defence
As per section 96 of IPC, nothing is an offence that is done in exercise of the right of private defence.
Thus, law permits the use of reasonable and necessary force in preventing harm to human body or
property and injuries caused by the use of such force are not actionable. However, the force must be
reasonable and not excessive. In Bird vs Hollbrook 1892, the defendant used spring guns in his
property without notice. It was held that he used excessive force and so was liable for plaintiff's injury
even though the plaintiff was trespassing on his property.

6. Mistake
Generally, mistake is not a valid defence against an action of tort. Thus, hurting a person under the
mistaken belief that he is trespassing on your property, will not be defensible. However, in certain
cases, it could be a valid defence. For example, in the case of malicious prosecution, it is necessary
to prove that the defendant acted maliciously and without a reasonable cause. If the prosecution was
done only by mistake, it is not actionable.
Further, honest belief in the truth of a statement is a defence against an action for deceit.

7. Necessity
If the act causing damage is done to prevent a greater harm, it is excusable. For example, a Ship ran
over a small boat hurting 2 people in order to prevent collision with another ship which would have
hurt hundreds of people is excusable. Thus, in Leigh vs Gladstone 1909, force feeding of a hunger
striking prisoner to save her was held to be a good defence to an action for battery.

8. Statutory Authority
An act that is approved by the legislature or is done upon the direction of the legislature is excused
from tortious liability even though in a normal circumstances, it would have been a tort. When an act
is done under the authority of an Act, it is a complete defence and the injured party has no remedy
except that is prescribed by the statute.
In Vaughan vs Taff Valde Rail Co 1860, sparks from an engine caused fire in appellant's woods that
existed in his land adjoining the railway track. It was held that since the company was authorized to
run the railway and since the company had taken proper care in running the railway, it was not liable
for the damage.

Q. What are the torts relating to the absolute liability? What are its kinds? What is Ryland vs
Fletcher rule? What are its exceptions? Is this rule applied in India in present circumstances?
If not, why?

In certain situations, a person is held liable for the damages caused by his actions even when the
actions are done without any ill intention or negligence on account of equity and justice. For example,
if a person keeps a lion for a pet and despite of all the precautions the lion escapes the cage and kills
someone. In this case, the owner of the lion will be liable even though he had no ill intention to cause
death and had taken all the precautions to keep the lion in the cage. This seems just because the
damage happened only because he brought a dangerous thing on his property. He was also aware of
the consequences if the lion escapes the cage and so he should be made liable if it escapes and
causes damage.

This principle of holding a person liable for his actions without any kind of wrong doing on his part is
called the principle of absolute liability or no fault liability. This principle was first upheld in the case
of Ryland vs Fletcher by the privy council in 1868. However, later on some exceptions to this were
also established due to which "strict liability" is considered a more appropriate name for this
principle. In this case, the defendant hired contractors to build a reservoir over his land for providing
water to his mill. While digging, the contractors failed to observe some old disused shafts under the
site of the reservoir that lead to plaintiff's mine on the adjoining land. When water was filled in the
reservoir, the water flooded the mine through the shafts. The plaintiff sued the defendant. The
defendant pleaded that there was no intention and since he did not know about the shafts, he was not
negligent even though the contractors were. Even so, he was held liable. J Blackburnobserved that
when a person, for his own purposes, brings to his property anything that is likely to cause a mischief
if it escapes, must keep it at his peril and if it escapes and causes damage, he must be held liable. He
can take the defence that the thing escaped due to an act of the plaintiff or due to vis major (act of
God) but since nothing of that sort happened here, then it is unnecessary to inquire what excuse
would be sufficient.
To this rule promulgated by J Blackburn, another requirement was added by the Court of Exchequer
Chamber, that the use must be a non-natural use of land as was the case in Ryland vs Fletcher itself.
For example, growing of regular trees is a natural use but growing poisonous trees is not. Keeping
dogs as pet is a natural use but keeping wild beasts is not. Thus, the conditions when this rule will
apply are -

1. The thing kept must be dangerous - The thing kept on the land must be as such as is likely
to cause mischief if it escapes. For example, storing gas or explosives or wild beasts are all
likely to cause damage if they escape.
2. The thing must escape - If the thing is within the boundary of the defendant's land, he is not
liable. The thing must escape out of his land for him to be liable. In Crowhurst vs Amersham
Burial Board 1878, branches of a poisonous tree were hanging outside the land of the
defendant. Plaintiff's cattle ate them and died. Defendant was held liable because protrusion
of branches out side his property were considered as escaping from his property. However,
in Ponting vs Noakes 1994, when the plaintiff's horse intruded over his boundary and ate
poisonous leaves of the defendant's tree, he was not held liable because there was no
escape.
3. The thing must be a non natural use of land - The use must not be an ordinary use of the
land. There must be a special purpose because of which it brings additional danger to other.
In Noble vs Harrison 1926, a branch of a tree growing on defendant's land broke and fell on
plaintiff's vehicle. It was held that growing regular trees is not a non natural use of land and
the branch fell because of an inherent problem and not because of any negligence of the
defendant and so he was not liable.

As mentioned before the following are exceptions or defenses against this rule -

1. Plaintiff's own default - If the thing escapes due to plaintiff's fault the defendant cannot be
held liable. In Eastern and South African Telegraph Co. Ltd. v Capetown Tramway Co
1902. the plaintiff's submarine cable transmissions were disturbed by escape of electric
current from defendant's tramway. It was held that since the current was not causing any
problem to regular users and it was causing problem to the cables only because they were
too sensitive and so the defendant cannot be held liable. One cannot increase his neighbor's
liabilities by putting his land to special uses.
2. Act of God - In circumstances where no human has control over, no one can be held liable.
In Nichols vs Marsland 1876, the defendant created artificial lakes to store rainwater. In that
particular year, there were exceptionally heavy rains, which caused the embankments to
break causing floods, which broke defendant's bridges. It was held that since there was no
negligence on the part of the defendant and the flood happened only because of rains so
heavy that nobody could imagine, the defendant was not liable.
3. Consent of the plaintiff - If the plaintiff has consented for the accumulation of the dangerous
thing, he cannot hold the defendant liable. This is also the case when an activity is done for
mutual benefit. For example, A lives on the ground floor and the defendant lives on the floor
above A's. Now, a water tank is built by the defendant to supply water for both of them. The
defendant will not be held liable for leakage of water fro m the tank.
4. Act of third party - When a third party, who is not an employee or a servant or a contractor
of the defendant is responsible for causing the dangerous thing to escape, the defendant will
not be held liable for the damage. In Box vs Jubb 1879, the overflow from the defendant's
reservoir was caused by the blocking of a drain by some strangers. The defendant was held
not liable. However, if such act can be foreseen, this defence cannot be pleaded because the
defendant must take precautions to prevent such an act. In M.P. Electricity Board vs Shail
Kumar AIR 2002, a person was killed by a live electric wire lying on the road. SC applied the
rule of strict liability and held that the defence of act of stranger is not applicable because
snapping of wire can be anticipated and the Electricity Board should have cut off the current
as soon as the wire snapped.
 5. Statutory Authority - When an act is approved by the legislature or is done on the direction
of the legislature, it is a valid defence for an action of tort even when the rules of Ryland vs
Fletcher apply. However, it is not application when there is negligence.

Position in India
The principle of strict liability is applicable in India as well. For example, Motor Vehicles Act 1938,
recognizes no fault liability. Similarly, the liability of a public carrier such as railways has also been
increased from that of a bailee to an insurer. However, there has been a deviation in the scope of this
rule. Depending on the situation, its scope has been increased as well as decreased by the courts.
For example, in Madras Railway Co. vs Zamindar 1974, the water collected in a pond for
agricultural purposes escaped and caused damage to the railway track and bridges. Here,
the application of this rule was restricted because the collection of water in such a way is a necessity
in Indian conditions and so it is a natural use of the land. This mechanism to store rainwater is used
throughout the country and since ages. Therefore, the defendant was not held liable.

A landmark case in this respect was the case of M C Mehta vs Union of India AIR 1987. In this case,
oleum gas from a fertilizer plant of Shriram Foods and Fertilizers leaked and caused damage to
several people and even killed one advocate. In this case, the rule of Ryland vs Fletcher was applied.
However, the company pleaded sabotage as a defence. SC went one step further and promulgated
the rule of Absolute Liability. It observed that the rule of Ryland vs Fletcher was a century old and
was not sufficient to decide cases as science has advanced a lot in these year. If British laws haven't
progressed, Indian courts are not bound to follow their law and can evolve the laws as per the
requirements of the society. It held that an enterprise that engages in dangerous substances has an
absolute responsibility to ensure the safety of the common public. It is only the company that can
know the consequences of its activities and so it must take all the steps to prevent any accident. If,
even after all precautions, accident happens, the company still should be made absolutely liable for
the damages. The reason being that the company has a social obligation to compensate the people
who suffered from its activity. SC also laid down that the measure of compensation should depend on
the magnitude and capacity of the enterprise so that it can have a deterrent effect.

Q. How can liability in Torts be discharged?

The following are the modes through which liability in Torts can be discharged -

1. Death of a party - "Actio personalis maritur cum persona" means Personal actions of a
person die with the person. But not always. In several cases, the cause of action remains
valid even after death of wrongdoer. For example, Workers' Compensation Act, Fatal
Accidents Act, etc.
2. Acquiescence - If the party whose right is being violated does not protest and allows the
transgression to happen without any restriction.
3. Waiver - If the plaintiff starts proceedings for one remedy for example, Civil suit, he cannot
file another suit under another remedy such as Tortios Suit for the same cause.
4. Release - If the plaintiff voluntarily releases the wrongdoer from liability. In England,
consideration is must. In India, no consideration is required.
5. Accord and Satisfaction - If the parties compromise and settle the dispute.
6. Judgement Recovered - "res judicata" - upon the damages awarded by the court.
7. Statute of limitation - Suit must be filed within the time frame provided by statutes of
limitations.

Q. Explain various Judicial remedies that are available to a plaintiff in an action of tort. Are
there any extra judicial remedies too? If so, enumerate them. What are the general types of
damages available in cases of Torts? Explain with examples. What is the doctrine of
remoteness of damages? Discuss law on this point.
Judicial Remedies -

1. Damages - It is the most important remedy of all.

1. Nominal Damages - In cases of Injuria Sine Damnum (Ashby vs White)
2. Contemtuous Damages - When plaintiff has suffered a wrong but does not deserve
compensation. For example, if the reason for battery was plaintiff's offensive remarks,
judge may think that the plaintiff does not deserve compensation.
3. Compensatory, Aggravated, and Exemplary Damages
4. Prospective Damages - Compensation for damages that haven't yet happened but
are likely happen because of defendant's tortious action.
2. Injunctions - An injunction is an order of the court directing the doing of some act or
restraining the commission or continuance of some act. The court has the discretion to grant
or refuse this remedy and when remedy by way of damages is a sufficient relief, injunction
may not be granted. It includes temporary and permanent injunction.
3. Specific restitution of Property

Extra Judicial Remedies

Besides going to the court for justice, a person, in certain situations, can also have recourse to
remedies without going to any court. Such remedies are called extra judicial remedies and are availed
by a person by his own strength as self-help. These are -

1. Removal of trespasser - A person is entitled to remove the trespasser by force.

2. Recaption of chattels (personal belongings) - A person is entitled to take possession of his
goods by force.
3. Abatement of nuisance - An occupier of a land is permitted to abate any nuisance that is
affecting his land.
4. Distress Damage feasant - A person has the right to seize goods or cattle that has strayed
on his land until compensation is paid.

Remoteness of Damage

The law allows only those losses which are not too 'remote'. There are two main tests of remoteness
which are applied in tort, namely direct consequences and reasonably foreseeable consequences.

Direct Consequence - Provided some damage is foreseeable, liability lies for all the natural and
direct consequences flowing from the breach of duty. In Re Polemis [1921] 3 KB 560 (CA),
stevedores, who were servants of the defendant, negligently let fall a plank into a ship’s hold
containing petrol in metal containers. The impact of the plank as it hit the floor of the hold caused a
spark, and petrol vapour was ignited. The ship was destroyed. Arbitrators found that the spark could
not have been reasonably foreseen, though some damage was foreseeable from the impact. The
defendant was found liable because the claimant’s loss was a direct, though not reasonably
foreseeable, result.

Reasonable Foreseeability - In The Wagon Mound (No. 1) [1961] AC 388, the defendant
carelessly discharged oil from a ship in Sydney Harbour, and the oil floated on the surface of the
water towards the claimant’s
wharf. The claimant’s servants, who were welding on the wharf, continued their work after being
advised (non-negligently) that it was safe to do so. Sparks from the welding equipment first of all
ignited cotton waste mixed up in the oil; then the oil itself caught fire. The claimant sued for
destruction of the wharf by fire. The defendant was found not liable in negligence, because it was not
reasonably foreseeable that the oil might ignite on water in these circumstances. Damage by fouling
was foreseeable; damage by fire (the case here) was not foreseeable. The Privy Council said that in
the tort of negligence Re Polemiswas no longer good law, and liability
would lie only for foreseeable damage of the kind or type in fact suffered by the claimant.

Q. What are the aims and objects of the CPA, 1986? Describe the constitution, functions and
the procedure of District Forum under the CPA. What are the provisions of appeal under the
CPA and before which authority an appeal lies against an order of an agency? Explain the
composition, jurisdiction, and powers of State Consumer Forum (State Consumer Redressal
Commission) under CPA. Define and discuss the word"consumer" and "service" under CPA.
Illustrate with cases.

Making money quickly is a very tempting proposition. Businesses, companies, shopkeepers, retailers,
and sellers are all interested in maximizing their profits. In doing so, very often they neglect the best
interests of the buyer. Many times, a buy gets a defective product, or a product that fails to perform as
promised. Besides losing money put in purchasing a product, some times, due to defects in the
product, the buyer is injured as well. In all such cases, there is a violation of a legal right of the buyer
and he is entitled to sue the seller. Before enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, filing a
civil suit for damages was the only option available to an aggrieved buyer. However, such a suit is
very expensive and time consuming, because of which, buyers were not able to use this mechanism
for relatively smaller amounts. This gave a field day to the traders because making substandard
products or not delivering on promises was a cheap option to make quick money, after all, very few
buyers would go to court. A common man was completely helpless because of no control and penalty
over unscrupulous sellers.

In this background, the CPA 1986 gave power in the hands of the buyer by allowing an easier and
cheaper way to redress their grievances, thereby holding the sellers accountable for their actions
more often. It provides redress to a consumer when the purchased product is defective or when there
is a deficiency in service. The following are aims and objectives of this act -

1. The most important objective of this act is to provide a fast and cheap way for consumers to
hold the sellers accountable for their products or services.
2. Justice to consumers.
3. Protection of consumers from fraudsters or companies selling substandard products and
services.
4. Penalty to sellers for substandard product or service.
5. Check on sellers and service providers.

Besides the above objectives, Section 6 of CPA 1986 also provides certain rights as objectives to the
consumers. These are -

1. Right to be protected against goods that are hazardous or dangerous to life and property.
2. Right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price or a
product and service.
3. Right to competitive pricing.
4. Right to be heard and to be assured that consumer interest will receive due consideration at
appropriate forum.
5. Right to redressal against unfair trade practices and exploitation of consumers.
6. Right to consumer education.

It is a complete code in the sense that it provides complete details of the constitution and jurisdiction
of the commission and procedure for filing the complaint and appealing the decision. It does not
depend on CPC and the cases can be finalized completely under this act. In fact, as held in Ansal
Properties vs Chandra Bhan Kohli 1991, Consumer Disputes Redressal Agencies provide complete
machinery for justice including a final appeal to the Supreme Court and so are outside the scope of
High Courts and HCs can't entertain writ petitions against their judgments.
Under Section 9 of this act, three agencies are established to hear consumer complaints -

1. A Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum in each district (For amounts up to 20 Lakhs)

2. A Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in each state. (For amounts from 20 Lakhs to 1
Cr)
3. A National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in the center. (For amounts above 1
cr)

District Forum

Composition (Section 10)

1. Each District Forum shall consist of -

a. A person who is, or who has been or is qualified to be, a District Judge, who shall be its
President
b. two other members, one of whom shall be a woman, who shall have the following
qualifications, namely -
1. be not less than thirty-five years of age,
2. posses a bachelor's degree from a recognized university,
3. be persons of ability, integrity and standing,
4. and have adequate knowledge and experience of at least ten years in dealing with
problems relating to economics, law, commerce, accountancy, industry, public affairs,
or administration

1-A. Every appointment under sub-section (1) shall be made by the State Government on the
recommendation of selection Committee consisting of the following namely:

1. The President of the State Commission - Chairman,

2. Secretary, Law Department of the State - Member,
3. Secretary, in charge, of the Department dealing with Consumer affairs in the State - Member.

2. Every member of the District Forum shall hold office for a term of five years or up to the age of
sixty-five years/ whichever is earlier:

3. The salary or honorarium and other allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of
service of the members of the District Forum shall be such as may be prescribed by the State
Government.

Jurisdiction (Section 11)

1. Pecuniary Jurisdiction - Subject to other provisions of this Act, the District Forum shall have
jurisdiction to entertain complaints where the value of the goods or services and the
Compensation if any, claimed does not exceed rupees twenty lakhs.
2. Territorial Jurisdiction - A complaint shall be instituted in a District Forum within the local
limits of whose jurisdiction, -
1. The opposite party or each of the opposite parties, where there are more than one, at
the time of the institution of the complaint, actually and voluntarily resides or carries
on business or has a branch office, or] personally works for gain or
2. Any of the opposite parties where there are more then one, at the time of the
institution of the complaint, actually and voluntarily resides, or carries on business or
has a branch office, or personally works for gain, provided that in such case either the
 permission of the District Forum is given, or the opposite parties who do not reside,
or carry on business or have a branch office, or personally works for gain, as the case
may be, acquiesce in such institution; or
3. The cause of action, wholly or in part arises.

For a complaint to lie in a district forum, at least a part of the transaction of the actual business must
have occurred in that district. In National Insurance Co vs Sonic Surgical 2003, a fire accident took
place in Ambala and a part of the claim was partly processed in Chandigarh. It was held that merely
processing of claim in one place does not form a ground to file a case in that district.

Functioning of a District Forum

Who can file a complaint (Section 12)

The following can file a complaint -

1. The consumer to whom the goods or services have been sold or are agreed to be sold.
2. Any recognized consumer association even if the consumer is not a member of the
association. Recognized means any voluntary association registered under Companies Act
1956 or any other law for the time being in force.
3. One or more consumers, where there are numerous consumers all having same interest, with
the permission of district forum.
4. The state or central government.

The complaint must be accompanied with such amount of fee and payable in such manner as may be
prescribed.
The forum may accept or reject the complaint. The complainant must be given an opportunity to be
heard before rejection. The acceptance or rejection will be decided in 21 days.

Procedure on admission of complaint (Section 13)

Upon acceptance of the complaint, the forum will send a copy to the opposite party within 21 days,
who has to respond with his version of the complaint within 30 days (extendable by 15 days). Upon
receipt of the response, the forum will give its decision. If no response is received, the forum will give
and ex parte decision. An effort will be made by the forum to make a decision within 3 months of date
of receipt of notice by the opposite party where no goods testing needs to be done or within 5 months
otherwise.

Powers (Findings) of District Forum (Section 14)

If, after conducting the procedure in Section 13, the forum finds that there was a defect in the product
or a deficiency in service or that any of the allegations in the complaint are true, it can ask the
opposite party to do any of the following -

1. to remove the defect pointed out by an appropriate laboratory from the goods in questions.
2. to replace the goods with new goods of similar description which shall be free from any
defect.
3. to return to the complainant the price or as the case may be, the charges paid by the
complainant.
4. to pay such amount as may be awarded by it as compensation to the consumer for any loss
or injury suffered by the consumer due to the negligence of the opposite party.
5. to discontinue the unfair trade practice or restrictive trade practice or not to repeat it.
6. not to offer the hazardous product for sale.
7. to cease manufacture of hazardous goods and to desist from offering services that are
hazardous.
8. when injury has been suffered by may customer who are not easily identifiable, the opposite
party may be required to pay such sum as the forum deems fit.
9. to issue any corrective advertisement to neutralize the effect of any misleading advertisement.
10. to provide adequate costs to parties.
The District Forum also has the power to grant punitive damages in such circumstances as it deems
fit.
The forum must take into account all the evidence and the documents produced by the parties and
the order of the forum should be a speaking order, which means that it should detail the reasons
behind the order. In K S Sidhu vs Senior Executive Engineer 2001, the complaint was dismissed by
the District Forum by a non speaking order. It did not discuss the evidence or the documents
submitted before it and thus it was held that the order was unjust and fit to be set aside.

Provisions for Appeal (Section 15)

From District Forum to State Commission (Section 15)
Any person aggrieved by an order by the District Forum may prefer an appeal against such order to
the State Commission within a period of 30 days from the date of the order. The state commission
may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said period of 30 days if it is satisfied that there was
sufficient cause for not filing it with in that period. With the appeal, the appellant must deposit 50% of
the amount that he is required to pay or 25000/- (whichever is less).

From State Commission to National Commission (Section 19)

Any person aggrieved by an order by the State Commission may prefer an appeal against such order
to the National Commission within a period of 30 days from the date of the order. The commission
may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said period of 30 days if it is satisfied that there was
sufficient cause for not filing it with in that period. With the appeal, the appellant must deposit 50% of
the amount that he is required to pay or 35000/- (whichever is less).

As per section 19-A, appeal to the State Commission or the National Commission shall be heard as
expeditiously as possible and an effort shall be made to dispose off the appeal within a period of 90
days from the date of admission. If the appeal is disposed of after this time, the commission shall
state the reasons for the delay.

From National Commission to Supreme Court(Section 23)

Any person aggrieved by an order made by the National Commission in exercise of its power
conferred by sub-clause (i) of clause (a) of section 21, may prefer an appeal against such order to the
Supreme Court within a period of thirty days from the date of the order. Provided that the Supreme
Court may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days if it is satisfied that
there was sufficient cause for not filing it within that period. Provided Further that no appeal by a
person who is required to pay any amount in terms of an order of the National Commission shall be
entertained by the Supreme Court unless that person had deposited in the prescribed manner fifty per
cent. of that amount or rupees fifty thousand, whichever is less.]

State Commission

Composition (Section 16)

1. Each State Commission shall consist of -

a. a person who is or has been a Judge of a High Court, appointed by the State Government, who
shall be its President :
Provided that no appointment under this clause shall be made except after consultation with
the Chief Justice of the High Court;
b. two other members, who shall be persons of ability, integrity and standing and have adequate
knowledge or experience of, or have shown capacity in dealing with problems relating to economics,
law, commerce, accountancy, industry, public affairs or administration, one of whom shall be a
woman :
Provided that every appointment made under this clause shall be made by the State
Government on the recommendation of a selection committee consisting of the following, namely :-
(i) President of the State Commission - Chairman,
(ii) Secretary of the Law Department of the State - Member,
(iii) Secretary, in charge of Department dealing with consumer affairs in the State -
Member.

2. The salary or honorarium and other allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of
service of the members of the State Commission shall be such as may be prescribed by the State
Government.

3. Every member of the State Commission shall hold office for a term of five years or up to the age of
sixty-seven years, whichever is earlier and shall not be eligible for re-appointment.

4. Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (3), a person appointed as a President or as a

member before the commencement of the Consumer Protection (Amendment) Act, 1993, shall
continue to hold such office as President or member, as the case may be, till the completion ] of his
term.

Jurisdiction (Section 17)

1. Pecuniary Jurisdiction - Subject to other provisions of this Act, the State Commission shall
have jurisdiction to entertain complaints where the value of the goods or services and the
Compensation, if any, claimed exceeds rupees 20 lakhs but does not exceed rupees 1 crore.
2. Territorial Jurisdiction - It can entertain appeals against the orders of any District Forum of
the state.

As per section 17 A , on the application of the complainant or of its own motion, the State
Commission may, at any stage of the proceeding, transfer any complaint pending before the District
Forum to another District Forum within the State if the interest of justice so requires.

Procedure (Section 18)

The provisions of sections 12, 13 and 14 and the rules made there under for the disposal of
complaints by the District Forum shall, with such modifications as may be necessary, be applicable to
the disposal of disputes by the State Commission.

National Commission

Composition (Section 20)

1. The National Commission shall consist of-

a. a person who is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court, to be appointed by the Central
Government, who shall be its President
Provided that no appointment under this clause shall be made except after consultation with
the Chief Justice of India
b. not less than four, and not more than such number of members, as may be prescribed, and one
of whom shall be a woman, who shall have the following qualifications, namely:-
(i) be not less than thirty-five years of age;
(ii) possess a bachelor's degree from a recognized university; and
(iii) be persons of ability, integrity and standing and have adequate knowledge and experience
of at least ten years in dealing with problems relating to economics, law, commerce, accountancy,
industry, public affairs or administration:

Provided that not more than fifty per cent, of the members shall be from amongst the persons having
a judicial background

Provided also that every appointment under this clause shall be made by I. Central Government on
the recommendation of a Selection Committee consisting the following, namely:-
(a) a person who is a Judge of the Supreme Court, to be nominated by the Chief Justice of India -
Chairman:
(b) the Secretary in the Department of Legal Affairs in the Government of India - Member;
(c) Secretary of the Department dealing with consumer affairs in the Government of India -
Member;
Jurisdiction (Section 21)

Subject to the other provisions of this Act, the National Commission shall have jurisdiction -
(a) to entertain -
(i) complaints where the value of the goods or services and compensation, if any, claimed
exceeds rupees twenty lakhs; and
(ii) appeals against the orders of any State Commission; and
(b) to call for the records and pass appropriate orders in any consumer dispute which is pending
before or has been decided by any State Commission where it appears to the National Commission
that such State Commission has exercised a jurisdiction not vested in it by law, or has failed to
exercise a jurisdiction so vested, or has acted in the exercise of its jurisdiction illegally or with material
irregularity.

Power and Procedure (Section 22)

The National Commission shall, in the disposal of any complaints or any proceedings before it, have -
(a) the powers of a civil court as specified in sub-sections (4), (5) and (6) of section 13;
(b) the power to issue an order to the opposite party directing, him to do any one or more of the
things referred to in clauses (a) to (i) of sub-section (1) of section14, and follow such procedure as
may be prescribed by the Central Government.

Section 22A. Power to set aside ex parte orders - Where an order is passed by the National
Commission ex parte against the Opposite party or a complainant, as the case may be, the aggrieved
party may apply to the Commission to set aside the said order in the interest of justice.

Section 22B. Transfer of cases - On the application of the complainant or of its own motion, the
National Commission may, at any stage of the proceeding, in the interest of justice, transfer any
complaint pending before the District Forum of one State to a District Forum of another State or
before one State Commission to another State Commission

Who is Consumer?
As per Section 2 (1) (d) of CPA 1986 - "Consumer" means any person who, -
(i) Buys any goods for a consideration which has been paid or promised or partly paid and partly
promised, or under any system of deferred payment and includes any user of such goods other than
the person who buys such goods for consideration paid or promised or partly paid or partly promised
or under any system of deferred payment when such use is made with the approval of such person
but does not include a person who obtains such goods for resale or for any commercial purpose; or
(ii) Hires or avails of any services for a consideration which has been paid or promised or partly
paid and partly promised, or under any system of deferred payment and includes any beneficiary of
such services other than the person who hires or avails of the services for consideration paid or
promised, or partly paid and partly promised, or under any system of deferred payment, when such
services are availed of with the approval of the first mentioned person but does not include a person
wo avails of such services for any commercial purpose;

Based on this definition, the following are essential elements of a Consumer -

1. Buys goods or Hires Services - Physical products such as Car, TV, Utensils etc as well as
intangible services ranging from Hair Cutting Saloon to Banking etc. are both valid purchases for
being a consumer. The scope of services is quite wide and more and more things are coming into its
ambit slowly. For example, in the landmark case of Indian Medical Association vs VP Shantha and
others 1995, SC held that patients treated by a medical professional is also a consumer of medical
services and is covered by CPA.
2. For consideration - To be a consumer, paying consideration is a must. However, consideration
may be an immediate payment or a promise of future payment in full or in part. It can also be any
arrangement of deferred payments. Further, unlike in Sale of Goods Act, consideration need not only
be in the form of money but transaction of services, exchange or barter is also valid. In Motor Sales
& Service vs Renji Sebastian 1991, the complainant booked a motor cycle to be delivered on a
given date for a consideration. His turn was ignored. The dealer was ordered to give him the
motorcycle for the price of that date and also 500/- as compensation.

3. For personal Use - The goods or service must be bought for personal use. Originally, a person
who bought a product or a service for commercial use was not considered a consumer but after the
amendment in 1993, use of such goods for making a livelihood is accepted. Thus, a self employed
person who buys a Photocopy machine for his own shop is a consumer. However, goods must not be
bought for resale.
In Anant Raj Agencies vs TELCO 1996, a company bought a car for personal use of a director of
the company. It was held that since the car was bought for personal use and not for commercial use
or for making a profit on a large scale, the company was a consumer.

4. Use by the purchaser or any body else - It is not necessary that only the purchaser of the goods
or services be the user. Anybody who uses the goods or services with due permission of the
purchaser, is also a consumer. Thus, in a landmark case of Spring Meadows Hospital vs Harjot
Ahluwalia AIR 1998, SC held that the parents of the child who was treated by the hospital were
hirers of the service while the child was the beneficiary and thus both were consumers.

What is a Service?

As per Section 2 (1) (o) "Services" means service of any description which is made available to
potential users and includes, but not limited to, the provision of facilities in connection with banking,
Financing insurance, transport, processing, supply of electrical or other energy, board or lodging or
both, housing construction entertainment, amusement or the purveying of news or other information,
but does not include the rendering of any service free of charge or under a contract of personal
service;

Based on this definition, the scope of services is quite wide. It will not be an exaggeration to says that
any thing for which a customer pays and that is not a physical product is a service. Cinema halls,
Health clubs, University, College, are all service providers.
In the landmark case of Indian Medical Association vs VP Shantha and others 1995, SC held that
patients treated by a medical professional is also a consumer of medical services and is covered by
CPA.
In Union of India vs Mrs S Prakash 1991, Telephone facility was held as a service and the
telephone rental paid by the consumer was the consideration for the service.

The service must be a paid service. Free or non-profit services do not fall under this category and
claims cannot be made regarding such services under the CPA. In A Srinivas Murthy vs Chairman,
Bangalore Development Authority 1991, the question before the court was whether a tax payer is a
consumer or not. A person, who paid house tax, was bitten by a stray dog and he sued Bangalore
Development Authority for not taking care of the menace of stray dogs. It was held that there was no
quid pro quo between the tax and the services rendered by BDA. The removal of stray dogs was a
voluntary action of BDA and was done free of cost. Thus, the complainant was not a consumer and
removal of dogs was not a service under this act.

Just like a defect, which renders a product not as useful as promised, there can be a deficiency in
service, which render a service not as useful as promised at the time of sale. CPA 1986 allows
consumers of services to take action against service providers for compensating for the deficiency in
the promised service. As per section 2(1)(g), "Deficiency" means any fault, imperfection,
shortcoming or inadequacy in the quality, nature and manner of performance which is required to be
maintained by or under any law for the time being in force or has been undertaken to be performed by
a person in pursuance of a contract or otherwise in relation to any service.
Thus, in Mahanagar Telephone Nigam vs Vinod Karkare 1991, when a complaint with the
telephone dept. was pending for more than six months, it was held to be a deficiency in service.

In Indian Airlines vs S N Singh 1992, a metallic wire was present in the food given to a traveler
because of which his gums were hurt. He was awarded 2000 Rs as compensation for deficiency in
service.

General Defenses
Justification of Torts
o Act of State
An act of State is outside the ordinary law, it is essentially an exercise of sovereign power as a matter of policy
or political expediency. For example, when the person or the property of a person who is not a British-subject
and who is not residing in British territory is injured by an act “done by any representative of Her Majesty’s
authority, civil or military, and which is either previously sanctioned or subsequently ratified by Her Majesty,
the person injured has no remedy for such an act is an act of State.
In the often quoted case of Buron v. Denman, the defendant, a captain in the Royal Navy, released the slaves
and set fire to the slave barracoons of the plaintiff, a Spaniard, on the West coast of Africa, outside British
dominions. The defendant originally had no authority but his act was ratified by the Crown. It was held that the
plaintiff had no remedy against the defendant.
o Judicial Acts
The Judicial Officers Protection Act, 1850 – Under this Act, no Judge, Magistrate, Justice of the Peace,
Collector, or other person acting judicially, can be sued in any Court, for any act done by him in the discharge of
his judicial duty. Provided that such acts were done in good faith.
o Executive Acts
The State and its officers are not liable when the wrongful act falls within the purview of Act of State. The State
is also vicariously liable for torts committed by its officers in the course of employment except when they are
committed while discharging traditional sovereign functions.
 State of Rajasthan v. Prakash Chand
o Volenti Non Fit Injuria – Leave and Licence
The general rule is that a person cannot complain for harm done to him if he consented to run the risk of it. For
example a boxer, foot baler, cricketer, etc cannot seek remedy where they are injured while in the game to
which they consented to be involved. Where a defendant pleads this defense, he is in effect saying that the
plaintiff consented to the act, which he is now complaining of. It must be proved that the plaintiff was aware of
the nature and extent of the risk involved.
In the case of Khimji Vs Tanga Mombasa Transport Co. Ltd (1962), the plaintiffs were the personal
representatives of a deceased who met his death while traveling as a passenger in the defendant’s bus. The bus
reached a place where road was flooded and it was risky to cross. The driver was reluctant to continue the
journey but some of the passengers, including the deceased, insisted that the journey should be continued. The
driver eventually yielded and continued with some of the passengers, including the deceased. The bus got
drowned together with all the passengers aboard. The deceased’s dead body was found the following day.
It was held that the plaintiff’s action against the defendants could not be maintained because the deceased knew
the risk involved and assumed it voluntarily and so the defense of Volenti non fit injuria rightly applied.
o Administrative Acts
 Dunlop v. Woolhara Municipal Council
o Acts of Governing Body
o Parental & Quasi-Parental Authority
 Sankunni v. Swaminatha Pattar
o Authorities of Necessity
 Lamb v. Burnett
o Statutory Authority
When the commission of what would otherwise be a tort, is authorized by a statute the injured person is
remediless, unless so far as the legislature has thought it proper to provide compensation to him. The statutory
authority extends not merely to the act authorized by the statute but to all inevitable consequences of that act.
But the powers conferred by the legislature should be exercised with judgment and caution so that no
unnecessary damage is done, the person must do so in good faith and must not exceed the powers granted by the
statute otherwise he will be liable.
In the Case of Vaugham Vs. Taffvale Railway Co. (1860), A railway company was authorized by statute to
run a railway, which traversed the plaintiff’s land. Sparks from the engine set fire to the plaintiff’s woods. It was
held that the railway company was not liable. It had taken all known care to prevented emission of sparks. The
running of locomotives was statutorily authorized.
o Inevitable Accident
This means an accident, which cannot be prevented by the exercise of ordinary care, caution or skill of an
ordinary man. It occurs where there is no negligence on the part of the defendant because the law of torts is
based on the fault principle; an injury arising out of an inevitable accident is not actionable in tort.
In the case of Stanley Vs. Powell (1891), the plaintiff was employed to carry cartridge for a shooting party
when they had gone pheasant-shooting. A member of the party fired at a distance but the bullet, after hitting a
tree, rebounded into the plaintiff’s eye. The plaintiff sued. It was held that the defendant was not liable in the
light of the circumstance of inevitable accident.
o Act of God
This is also an inevitable accident caused by natural forces unconnected with human beings e.g. earthquake,
floods, thunderstorm, etc.
In the case of Nichols Vs. Marshland (1876), the defendant has a number of artificial lakes on his land.
Unprecedented rain such as had never been witnessed in living memory caused the banks of the lakes to burst
and the escaping water carried away four bridges belonging to the plaintiff. It was held that the plaintiff’s
bridges were swept by act of God and the defendant was not liable.
o Necessity
Where intentional damage is done so as to prevent greater damage, the defense of necessity can be raised.
Sometimes a person may find himself in a position whereby he is forced to interfere with rights of another
person so as to prevent harm to himself or his property.
In the case of Esso Petroleum Ltd. Vs. Southport Corporation (1956), it was held that the safety of human
beings belongs to a different scale of value from the safety of property. These two are beyond comparison and
the necessity for saving life has all times been considered, as a proper ground for inflicting such damage as may
be necessary upon another’s property.
o Private Defence
Everyone has a right to defend his person, property and family from unlawful harm. A person who is attacked
does not owe his attacker a duty to escape. Everyone whose life is threatened is entitled to defend himself and
may use force in doing so. The force used must be reasonable and proportionate to that of the attacker.
Normally, no verbal provocation can justify a blow
 Morris v. Nugent
o Plaintiff a wrong doer
 Bird v. Holbrook
 National Coal Board v. England
 Pitts v. Hunt
o Acts causing slight harm
 Holford v. Bailey
Vicarious Liability
Liability for wrongs committed by others. Generally, a person is liable for his own wrong doings.
Liability By Ratification
 In the course of authority
 Should be made by principal with full knowledge about the wrongful act
 illegal and unlawful acts cannot be ratified
Liability By Relationship between the two (Master & Servant)
Master-Servant: When Master is Liable
 Dharangadhara Chemical Works Ltd. v. State of Sourashtra
 Mersey Docks and Harbour Board v. Coggins & Griffith (Liver Pool) Ltd.
 Lllyod v. Grace Smith Co.
 Gregory v. Piper
 Bayley v. Manchester Rly. Co.
 Lionpus v. London General Omni Bus Co.
 Ricett v. Thas Trilling
Master-Servant: When Master is not Liable
 Williams v. Jones
 Storey v. Ashton
 Paulton v. London & S.W. Rly. Co.
 General Engg. Services Ltd. v. Kingston Cheshire
Master-Independent Contractor
Principal-Agent
Company & Directors
Partnership Firms & Partners
Guardian & Ward
Liability By Abetment
In actions of wrong, those who abet the tortious acts are equally liable with those who commit the wrong. A
person who procures the act of another is legally responsible for its consequences
1. If he knowingly and for his own ends induces that other person to commit an actionable wrong, or
2. when the act induced is within the right of the immediate actor and, therefore, not wrongful so far as
the actor is concerned, but is detrimental to a third party and the inducer procures his object by the use of
illegal means directed against that third party
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Legal Remedies
There are two kinds of remedies for torts such as judicial remedies and extra-judicial remedies.
Judicial remedies: afforded by the Courts of law. Damages and injunctions are different form of remedies
against the same wrong.
1. awarding of damages
2. granting of injunction
3. specific restitution of property
Extra-judicial remedies: available to a party, in certain cases of torts, by his own acts alone. These remedies
are in the nature of self-help, should not be normally resorted to, for the person resorting to them may frequently
exceed his rights and may be faced with a case civil or criminal alleging that he the law in hjis own hands. It
may also give rise to law and order problems.
1. expulsion of trespasser
2. re-entry on land
3. recaption of goods
4. distress damage feasant
5. abatement of nuisance
1. Damages
A. Introduction
Generally, pecuniary compensation will be awarded for the injury or damaged caused to the plaintiff by the
wrongful act of the defendant. There will be three important question put forth before the Court. They are: 1. the
damaged caused by the defendant’s wrongful act, 2. remoteness, and 3. monetary compensation for the
damages.
B. Causation: Theory of directness

If the damage alleged was not caused by the defendant’s wrongful act the question of its remoteness will not
arise. Generally accepted test is ‘but for’ test to determine if the wrongful act is caused by the defendant’s
action. If the damage would not have resulted but for the defendant’s wrongful act, it would be taken to have
been caused by the wrongful act.
The ‘but for’ test is not of universal application and a lesser degree of causal test may be applied in special
circumstances to prevent injustice.
Case Laws:
In Robinson v Post Office, the plaintiff, who was employed by the Post Office, slipped as he was descending a
ladder. The ladder had become slippery due to negligence of the employer. The plaintiff sustained a wound on
his left shin. Later, he visited doctor and the administered A.T.S (anti-tetanusserum). Small quantity of the drug
should be injected before the full dose. Instead, the doctor gave the full dose. The plaintiff suffered encephalities
after the 3 days which is a rare possibility of full-dose A.T.S.
Found: It was found that the doctor was not negligent in deciding to inject A.T.S. His negligence lay in not
waiting for half an hour after the test dose.
Repolemi’s Case
Scott v Shepheard
Hayne’s v Harwood
C. Remoteness: Theory of Reasonable Cause
i. Foreseability
Case Laws:
Wagon Mound No. 1 Case
Wagon Mound No. 2 Case
Hughes v Lord Advocate
ii. Intended Consequences
Case Laws:
Scott v Shepherd
iii. “Eggshell Skull” cases
Case Laws:
Smith v Leech Brain & Co. Ltd.
iv. Intervening acts or events: Novus actus intervenients
Lamb v Camden London Borough
iv-a. A Summary of principles in considering remoteness
Corr v IBC Vehicle
v. Mitigation of Damage
Selvanayagam v University of West Indies
vi. Further Examples
D. Measure of damages
i. General Principle
ii. Contemptuous, nominal, ordinary and exemplary damages
Thompson v Commissioner of Police
iii. General and special damages
iv. Prospective and Continuing Damages
v. Damages for mental suffering and psychiatric injury or Nervouc Shock
White v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire
vi. Damages in an action for personal injuries
 a. Non-pecuniary Loss
 b. Pecuniary Loss
 c. Interest
 d. Illustration
vi-a. Damages for Unwanted pregnancy resulting from medical negligence
McFarlane v Tayside Health Board
vii. Injury to Property
E. Interim Damages
F. Compensation under Sec. 357 Cr. P.C
Case Laws:
Harikrishnan and State of Haryana v Sukhbir Singh
F1. Compensation to rape victions
Delhi Domestic Working Women’s Forum v Union of India
G. Provisional Award
Case Laws:
Nagappa v Gurudayal Singh
H. Damages in actions of contract and of tort
2.Injunction
3. Specific Restitution
4. Joint and Several Tort-Feasors
Case Laws:
T.O. Anthony v Karvarnan
5. Contribution between Wrong-Doers
Case Laws:
Merryweather v Nixan
6. Remedies under the Constitution