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Tort: Defences and Remedies

Volenti non fit injuria: the elements of the defence

  • 3 things to know
  • Components 2 and 3

Overview

Volenti non fit injuria and effect of volenti succeeding.

What you need to know

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Key term

What does volenti non fit injuria mean?

Key term

What must a defendant prove to establish volenti non fit injuria?

Numbers

Is knowledge of the risk by itself enough for volenti?

Questions from this subtopic

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  1. 1

    What does volenti non fit injuria mean?

    Model answer

    Volenti non fit injuria means that no injury is done to a person who consents. The defence is a complete answer and defeats the claim entirely.

  2. 2

    What must a defendant prove to establish volenti non fit injuria?

    Model answer

    The defendant must show that the claimant knew of the precise risk. The defendant must also show that the claimant voluntarily agreed to run that risk.

  3. 3

    Is knowledge of the risk by itself enough for volenti?

    Model answer

    Knowledge of a risk is not the same thing as agreement to run it. Smith v Baker and Sons [1891] held that a worker who knew stones were swung overhead had not consented.

  4. 4

    What were the facts of Smith v Baker and Sons [1891]?

    Model answer

    A quarry worker was injured when a stone fell from a crane swinging rock over his head. The House of Lords rejected volenti, because working on under protest was not true agreement.

  5. 5

    Must the claimant's agreement be express?

    Model answer

    Agreement may be express or implied from the claimant's conduct. An implied agreement must still show a real choice to accept the risk.

  6. 6

    What did ICI Ltd v Shatwell [1965] decide?

    Model answer

    Two shot-firers ignored safety regulations and tested detonators without taking cover, injuring each other. The House of Lords allowed volenti, because they had freely agreed between themselves to run a known risk.

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