Tort law worksheet with answers

For a defamation claim, the statement must be defamatory, refer to the claimant, and be:

1. ARepeated by at least two people
2. BPublished to at least one third party
3. CPublished in print or on television
4. DRead by the claimant personally

In English law, is there a general duty to rescue a stranger in danger?

1. ANo, unless the stranger asks for help
2. BYes, but only for trained professionals
3. CYes, everyone must try to rescue anyone in danger
4. DNo, there is generally no liability for a pure omission

Under the Defamation Act 2013, the defence of truth requires the defendant to show that:

1. AThe defendant honestly and reasonably believed the statement was true
2. BThe imputation conveyed by the statement is substantially true
3. CThe statement was on a matter of public interest
4. DEvery single word of the statement is accurate

A young man dives into a shallow lake in a public park despite warning signs and is paralysed. In Tomlinson v Congleton BC, the council was:

1. ALiable, because it did not destroy the beach
2. BLiable, because the signs were ignored by many
3. CNot liable, because the risk was obvious and voluntarily taken
4. DLiable for half of the damage

Workmen leave an open manhole with paraffin lamps. A boy knocks a lamp in, causing an unexpected explosion and burns. In Hughes v Lord Advocate, the defendants were:

1. ANot liable, because the boy was a trespasser
2. BLiable, because burns were a foreseeable type of harm
3. CNot liable, because the explosion was unforeseeable
4. DLiable only for half of the damage

A boarding-house warden employed by a school abuses the boys in his care. In Lister v Hesley Hall, the employer was:

1. ANot liable, because abuse is never within the course of the warden's employment
2. BNot liable, because the warden acted for himself
3. CLiable only for its own negligent hiring
4. DVicariously liable, because the abuse was closely connected with his duties

Young offenders escape while their officers sleep, and damage a yacht nearby. In Home Office v Dorset Yacht Co, the House of Lords held:

1. AA duty could be owed, because the officers had control over the offenders
2. BThe yacht owner was contributorily negligent
3. CNo duty, because the Home Office is part of the Crown
4. DNo duty, because the damage was done by third parties acting of their own free will

A petrol station kiosk attendant racially abuses a customer, follows him outside and assaults him. In Mohamud v WM Morrison Supermarkets, the employer was:

1. ANot liable, because violence was not part of his job
2. BLiable only if it had trained him poorly
3. CVicariously liable, as the assault was closely connected to his job of serving customers
4. DNot liable, because the assault took place outside the kiosk and after the conversation ended