ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the basic character of torts and identifies the basic principles of tortious liability. It explores the aims of tortious liability and discusses the interests protected by the Law of Torts. The chapter describes the relevance of specific mental states in pursuing tort actions. It analyses the joint liability and several liability and recognise when and why contributions can be made between different tortfeasors. The chapter also identifies when human rights legislation impacts on the Law of Torts. The manifesto promise was fulfilled when the Human Rights Act 1998 was passed, bringing most of the Convention into effect as part of the law of the United Kingdom in October 2000. The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms is an international treaty which the United Kingdom was the first country to sign as long ago as 1951, but, Parliament acted, the Convention had little effect in the United Kingdom.
