Unravelling causation in European tort laws: commonplaces through the lens of comparative law
Keywords:
Causation, Tort Law, Legal Culture, Comparative Law, European JurisdictionsAbstract
The article analyzes causation in European civil liability systems, presenting three main assumptions. The first suggests that rules regarding causation are often treated as objective solutions to specific questions, although this objectivity is questionable. The second addresses the division between factual and legal causation, emphasizing the inconsistency of the distinction in the different jurisdictions studied. Lastly, the research indicates that the relevance of causation analysis varies considerably among the legal systems investigated, depending on the focus given to the duty of care of the wrongdoer or the protection of the victim’s interests. The results reveal a diversity of approaches and decisions among the different jurisdictions, evidencing the influence of historical and cultural factors on the application of rules on causation. The conclusion of the study proposes a new classification of jurisdictions into three groups – “overarching”, “bounded” and “pragmatic” causation – in order to provide a better understanding of the role of causation in European tort law.
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