Program Overview

Course Overview

The Law of Torts (LAWS 212) is a course that concerns the imposition by the common law of obligations not to harm others or interfere with others' protected interests. This course examines the relationship between tort law and the statutory system for compensating and rehabilitating accident victims.

Course Details

• Dates: 23 February 2026 to 8 November 2026
• Starts: Trimester 1+2
• Fees:
  • NZ$2,040.00 for domestic students
  • NZ$10,330.80 for international students
• Lecture Start Times:
  • Tuesday 8:30am
  • Tuesday 9:30am
  • Thursday 8:30am
  • Thursday 9:30am
• Campus: Pipitea
• Estimated Workload: Approximately 300 hours or 8.1 hours per week for 37 weeks
• Points: 30
• Availability: Limited entry

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: Either (LAWS 121 or 124), 122, 123, or LAWS 111
• Corequisites: LAWS 297
• Restrictions: None

Course Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the law of torts and New Zealand's accident compensation system at a level appropriate for a second-year student at Victoria University of Wellington's Law Faculty.
2. Identify and analyse legal issues arising in the law of torts.
3. Critically evaluate legal issues arising in the law of torts.
4. Understand and use in legal analysis core legal doctrines and statutory material relevant to the law of torts and New Zealand's accident compensation system.

How This Course is Taught

• Teaching format: Optimised for in-person learning with recordings available.
• Workshops will replace tutorials, with at least two workshops running each trimester.

Assessment

• In-person Final Test: 55% of the final mark
• In-person Test One: 45% of the final mark

Mandatory Requirements

To pass this course, students must:

1. Achieve an overall pass mark of at least 50%.
2. Achieve a "pass" (at least 50%) in a writing assignment.
3. Meet the mandatory course requirements; failure to do so will result in not receiving a passing grade unless a waiver is granted by the School.

Lecture Times and Rooms

Lecture times are scheduled from 23 February 2026 to 8 November 2026, with specific dates and rooms to be confirmed.

What You'll Need to Get

Recommended texts will be uploaded to the learning environment for access.

About This Course

This course covers topics including:

• Introduction to torts
• Trespass to the person
• Negligence
• Accident compensation
• Land-based torts
• Defamation
• Privacy

It is expected that students will attend all lectures and workshops. The course is fully on campus.