1.
OVERVIEW ON THE
LAW OF TORT
LLB201A
LAW OF TORT A

2.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES
Ability to define what
amounts to a tort
Ability to give examples of
torts
Ability to state the basic
features of a tort
Ability to explain the
functions of a tort

3.
READING:
Ahnaf Azmi, Norchaya Talib on Torts in
Malaysia, (Sweet & Maxwell Asia 2021),
Chapter 1
Wan Azlan Ahmad & Mohsin Hingun, Malaysian
Tort Law, (Sweet & Maxwell Asia 2019),
Chapter 1
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4.
WHAT IS A TORT?
Oxford Dictionary of Law:
• Latin tortus = twisted or crooked.
• “A wrongful act or omission for which damages
can be obtained in a civil court by the person
wronged, other than a wrong that is only a breach
of contract.”
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5.
WHAT IS A TORT?
Norchaya Talib:
“wrongful act or omission… not authorized by
the law… effect of encroaching on another’s
interest, whether it results in damage or not”
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6.
WHAT IS A TORT?
Wan Azlan:
“recognition of interests that the civil law
recognizes in the absence of contractual relations
between the tortfeasor and the complainant”
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7.
WHAT IS A TORT?
Winfield:
“Tortious liability arises from the breach of a duty
primarily fixed by law; this duty is towards persons
generally and its breach is redressible by an action
for unliquidated damages”.
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8.
WHAT IS A TORT?
Types
Negligence
Nuisance
Occupier’s
liability
Defamation
Strict
liability/Rylands
v Fletcher
Vicarious
liability
Employer’s
liability
Breach of
statutory duties
Intentional torts
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9.
WHAT IS A TORT?
Basic
elements
Wrongful
act/omission
Interests of
another are
affected
Right to claim
damages
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10.
WHY TORT?
Functions
Redress/remedy
Damages Injunctions
Deterrant
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11.
BASIC CONCEPTS
• Intention
• Motive & malice
• Bradford Corporation v Pickles [1895] AC
587
• Allen v Flood [1989] AC 1
• Improper motive
• Intentional doing of a wrongful act.
• Limitation period
• S6(1) Limitation Act 1953
• S2(a) Public Authorities Protection Act 1948
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12.
BASIC CONCEPTS
• Damage:
• Physical injury
• To property
• To reputation
• Economic loss
• Damages:
• Unliquidated damages
• Liquidated damages
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13.
SOURCES
• English common law
• S3 Civil Law Act 1956 (wef 1/4/1972)
• Lee Kee Chong v Empat Nombor Elor (NS) Sdn.
Bhd. [1976] 2 MLJ 93
• Jamil bin Harun v Yang Kamsiah [1984] 1 MLJ
217
• Nepline Sdn. Bhd v Jones Lang Wooton [1995] 1
CLJ 865
• Local judicial decision
• Local statues
• Defamation Act 1957
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