The Role of Retributive Justice in the Common Law of Torts: A Descriptive Theory

60 Pages Posted: 17 Nov 2005 Last revised: 20 Jul 2018

See all articles by Ronen Perry

Ronen Perry

University of Haifa - Faculty of Law

Date Written: 2005

Abstract

This article is the first academic attempt to explain in a systematic manner how the third-form-of-justice, usually thought of as one of the theoretical foundations of criminal law, operates within the law of torts. Tort jurisprudence is definitely not the natural habitat for retributive concerns. Since retributive justice is technically inconsistent with the corrective structure of tort law its role is (and probably ought to be) very limited. The article first explains the notion of retributive justice and defends the view that it constitutes a third form of justice, distinct from the classical Aristotelian forms. It then rejects monistic retributive theories of tort law, and argues that retributive justice penetrates the corrective pattern of tort law only within two conceptual paradigms: (1) the prevention of abominable disproportion paradigm, and (2) the preservation of criminal justice paradigm. It subsequently demonstrates this theory in a methodical manner with notable examples from various common-law jurisdictions.

Keywords: Tort law, retributive justice, corrective justice, negligence, criminal law

JEL Classification: K13

Suggested Citation

Perry, Ronen, The Role of Retributive Justice in the Common Law of Torts: A Descriptive Theory (2005). Tennessee Law Review, Vol. 73, pp. 177-236, 2006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=846309

Ronen Perry (Contact Author)

University of Haifa - Faculty of Law ( email )

Mount Carmel
Haifa, 3498838
Israel

HOME PAGE: http://law.haifa.ac.il/index.php/en/faculty-rperry

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
2,536
Abstract Views
16,492
Rank
10,204
PlumX Metrics