Authors: Stephen Todd, Cynthia Hawes, Ursula Cheer, Bill Atkin


Todd on Torts is the definitive tort work for law students and practitioners. Its exemplary standards and authoritative reputation are both demonstrated by the fact that it is the book most frequently cited in decisions of the New Zealand Courts.

Major new or rewritten areas of discussion in its pages include:

  • The scope of cover for treatment injury under the accident compensation scheme.
  • Recovery of common law damages for mental injury.
  • Assuming responsibility as a test for liability for negligently inflicted economic loss.
  • Responsible communication on a matter of public interest as a defence in defamation.
  • Recognition of a new cause of action for the malicious institution of civil proceedings.
  • Proportionality as the basis for pleading the ex turpi causa principle.
  • Vicarious liability for independent contractors and for other relationships analogous to employment.
  • A host of new decisions explain and discuss these and many other interesting topics and fields of enquiry.

In the Foreward to the 7th edition of this book, published in 2016 on the 25th anniversary of the publication of the 1st edition, Dame Sian Elias, Chief Justice of New Zealand said:

"The best legal writing both sparks the imagination and provides discipline. The Law of Torts in New Zealand is in that mould. It provides insights and analysis for all practising in this field. I expect it to remain the defining work on torts in New Zealand for the next 25 years and to continue to influence the direction of New Zealand law."

9781988553818