Product Liability In Comparative Perspective

Where products develop ever more rapidly, the law may face difficulties in responding accordingly to new security threats which may arise. In the field of product liability, an extraordinary need for legal development has thus been perceived, with legislators and judges feeling compelled to find new solutions and to look across borders for these. In the detailed reports in this book, the World Tort Law Society proves that it is in an ideal position to examine the most significant concepts. The report on North America studies the special regime for product liability from its origin in the case law of the US; the European report is centred around the EU Product Liability Directive with its merits and faults; and the influence of these two systems as well as new answers are shown in the reports on Asia, Russia and four key jurisdictions in the rest of the world. Similar questions are discussed worldwide: How can a strict liability regime for products be justified, and can it be justified in all cases? How does the special regime relate to general rules of tort law? Should services be subject to a similar regime? The Members of the Society seek to provoke thought for solutions to these pervasive problems. In this spirit, the volume’s comparative conclusions invite discussion, and the book includes four responses to that call from eminent tort lawyers from different legal backgrounds.

This book examines the law of product liability from a comparative perspective. With the European Directive on Product Liability enacted over 20 years ago, this publication analyses the state of product liability in a number of key jurisdictions including both Western European countries and New Member States. Account is also taken of developments further afield, including the United States and Japan. Distinguished contributors, including a high court judge, European Commission official, leading litigators and academics, provide individual country reports and a number of integrated comparative studies. The book is designed for practical use by legal practitioners, academics, students and others interested in the area of contract, tort, civil procedure and multi-party litigation. In particular, practitioners will find the country reports an essential reference point.

This book examines the law in respect of financial redress for those injured by defective consumer items, known as product liability. The different approach of the courts in a variety of different countries is examined, including Western Europe, Accession Countries, North America and Japan. Contributions are made by distinguished commentators, including a high court judge, European Commission official, leading litigators and academics.

This book provides a grounding in the principles of product liability and examines how they have been tackled by different legal systems. In particular the author looks at European developments against the background of, for example, the United States, where the concern to protect consumers of defective products has led to something of a products liability crisis - large damage awards plus strict liability have meant that it is difficult for some industries to obtain insurance - and New Zealand, where a no fault compensation scheme operates. The book provides an understanding of the process by which European laws are harmonized, by analyzing the European Directive on Product Liability - and assesses how effective the measures taken have been in the European Community and elsewhere.

This work provides comprehensive analysis of product liability under the common law of negligence, the strict liability provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 1987, and the EU's Product Liability Directive, placed in the context of the international and transnational legal framework.--

A book which looks at the nature of product liability in general, and the relationship it has with other manufacturers' liability in contract and tort. It then provides detailed country by country surveys from 15 jurisdictions which analyze the national law and practice in relation to the theories which liability is based on; the definition of defect; obligations to warn or recall defective products; defences available; proximate cause; who can be sued; remedies available; quantum; limitations or disclaimers; statutes of limitation; corporate successors; insurance and risk management and the role of the courts and forum shopping.

This revised second edition of Comparative Tort Law: Global Perspectives offers an updated and enriched framework for analysing and understanding the current state of tort law around the world. Using a critical comparative methodology, it covers not only the common tort law issues but also many jurisdictions often overlooked in the mainstream literature. Contributions explore illuminating case studies from tort systems in Europe, the US, Latin America, Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, including new chapters specifically discussing tort law in Brazil, India and Russia.