This course is not currently offered, please contact the school or faculty of your program.

Course description

This course examines the concept of causation and the difficulties that it generates in various legal contexts. The focus will be on causation as an element of a civil claim, for example, tortious exposure to toxic substances, but consideration will also be given to homicide. Students will explore the nature of causation, the conceptual difficulties it may raise and various legal approaches to its definition. The characteristic proof difficulties attending causation will be analysed, and the legal responses these have prompted, including loss of chance and material contribution to risk.