Posted By Adrian Watson Torts are civil rights of action for the recovery of damages by persons who have sustained injury or loss from acts, statements or omissions of others in breach of duty or contravention of right imposed or conferred by law. The same circumstances may give rise to claims for breach of contract or in tort. Many tortious acts are also crimes. Regards Adrian Watson

Posted By Mark Talbot PJ, think of Tort, and Civil Law as the way that we as a society support those hurt by others. Whilst laws can be written and enforced by Government, they seldom allow for an individual to seek recompense for hurt. Tort (Negligence, Trespass, etc.,) allows an individual to seek justice for a 'wrong' and the Court decides whether that wrong was the fault of the other party. To succeed the wronged person must prove Duty, Breach and Damage. A duty of care was owed, a breach of that duty took place, and damage was suffered. It is an extreemly useful provision and is the very heart of the 'claims culture' which I personally think is more effective than regulation at times. You need to do some reading to get specific. Look up the cases of Donahughe (sp?); Bolton; Stevenson; and you will start to find other cases which should start to explain things. Get a book on English Tort - do a Google search.