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Uimhir 41 de 1961.
AN tACHT UM DHLITEANAS SIBHIALTA, 1961.
[An tiontú oifigiúil].
CUID I
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Gearrtheideal agus comhlua.
1.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Dhliteanas Sibhialta, 1961, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Féadfarna hAchtanna Aerloingseoireachta agus Aeriompair, 1936 go 1961, a ghairm de na hAchtanna Aerloingseoireachta agus Aeriompair, 1936 go 1959, agus de Chuid VI den Acht seo le chéile.
Léiriú i gcoitinne.
1957, Umih. 6.
2.—(1) San Acht seo, ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1936” an tAcht um Aer-Loingseoireacht agus Aer-Iompar, 1936;
ciallaíonn “Reacht na dTréimhsí” Reacht na dTréimhsí, 1957;
folaíonn “gníomh” mainneachtain nó neamhghníomh eile;
folaíonn “caingean” frithéileamh agus imeachtaí ar mhodh eadrána;
folaíonn “aon achtachán cinnteachta eile” ailt 31, 46 agus 48;
folaíonn “féimheach” féichiúnaí comhshocraíochta;
folaíonn “féimheacht” comhshocraíocht faoi ordú ón gcúirt el haghaidh tearmainn;
ciallaíonn “éagóracha comhthráthacha” éagóracha a rinne daoine ar éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha ina leith iad;
ciallaíonn “conradh” conradh faoi shéala nó conradh béil;
ciallaíonn “ranníocóir” duine atá faoi dhliteanas, nó a líomhnaítear a bheith faoi dhliteanas, ranníoc a dhéanamh;
ciallaíonn “cúirt”, maidir le haon éileamh, an chúirt nó an t-eadránaí ag a mbeidh, nó ar ina láthair a bheidh, an t-éileamh le cinneadh;
folaíonn “damáiste” caillteanas maoine, ciorrú saoil agus díobháil phearsanta;
folaíonn “damáiste”, ach amháin i gCuid IV, cúiteamh mar gheall ar shárú iontaobhais;
folaíonn “cosantóir” cosantóir i bhfrithéileamh;
ciallaíonn “duine díobháilte” duine a ndearnadh éagóir ina aghaidh;
tagraíonn “faoi dhliteanas” do dhliteanas dlíthiúil cibé acu atá nó nach bhfuil sin inchurtha i bhfeidhm trí chaingean;
folaíonn “mainneachtain” sárú dualgais reachtúil;
folaíonn “díobháil phearsanta” aon ghalar agus aon dochar do staid choirp nó mheabhrach duine, agus forléireofar “díobháilte” dá réir sin;
folaíonn “gearánaí” cosantóir ag frithéileamh agus cosantóir ag éileamh i gcoinne comhchosantóra trí fhógra nó ar shlí eile;
folaíonn “tríú páirtí” ceathrú páirtí agus páirtí ina dhiaidh sin;
ciallaíonn “éagóir” tort, sárú cúnaint nó sárú iontaobhais, cibé acu is é an duine ar cuireadh an éagóir ina leith nó duine a bhfuil sé freagrach ina ghníomhartha a rinne an gníomh, agus cibé acu is coir freisin an gníomh nó nach ea, agus cibé acu ba éagóir intinniúil an éagóir nó nárbh ea;
folaíonn “éagóir ag an gcosantóir”, más ionadaí pearsanta an cosantóir, éagóir ag an éagach a bhfuil an duine faoi dhliteanas ina leith mar ionadaí pearsanta;
ciallaíonn “éagóiritheoir” duine a rinne éagóir nó atá freagrach ar shlí eile in éagóir.
(2) Déanfar aon tagairt san Acht seo d'aon achtachán eile a fhorléiriú mar thagairt don achtachán sin arna leasú nó arna chur chun feidhme le haon achtachán ina dhiaidh sin, lena n-áirítear an tAcht seo.
Tagairtí d'Achtanna aisghairthe a fhorléiriú.
3.—Déanfar tagairt in aon achtachán d'aon Acht a aisghairtear leis an Acht seo a fhorléiriú mar thagairt don Acht seo.
Cosaint.
4.—(1) Ní bheidh éifeacht ag aon ní san Acht seo maidir le haon chúis chaingne a d'faibhrigh roimh dháta an Achta seo a rith.
(2) Ní thabharfaidh aon ní san Acht seo—
(a) go mbeidh aon chomhaontú slánaíochta inchurtha i bhfeidhm nach mbeadh inchurtha i bhfeidhm dá mba nár ritheadh an tAcht seo, ná
(b) go ndéanfar difir do chumhacht na cúirte chun bac a chur ar imeachtaí ar mí-úsáid de phróis na cúirte iad.
Aisghairm.
5.—Déantar leis seo na hachtacháin a luaitear sa Sceideal a aisghairm a mhéid a shonraítear i gcolún (3), ach amháin maidir le cásanna a chosnaítear le halt 4.
CUID II
Maireachtáil Cúiseanna Caingne Áirithe tar éis Bháis
Réamhráiteach
Míniú (Cuid II).
1934, Umih. 9.
6.—Sa Chuid seo ciallaíonn “cúis chaingne eiscthe”—
(a) cúis chaingne mar gheall ar shárú gealltanais pósta nó ar chlúmhilleadh nó ar mheabhlú nó ar chéile amháin a aslú chun an céile eile a fhágáil nó chun fanúint ar leithligh ón gcéile eile nó ar chaidreamh collaí, nó
(b) aon éileamh ar chúiteamh faoin Acht um Chúiteamh do Lucht Oibre, 1934.
Cúiseanna caingne a bhí dílsithe do dhuine atá tar éis bháis
Maireachtáil cúiseanna caingne áirithe a bhí dílsithe do dhuine atá tar éis bháis.
7.—(1) Ar dhuine d'fháil bháis ar dháta an Achta seo a rith nó dá éis sin, leanfaidh na cúiseanna caingne uile (seachas cúiseanna caingne eiscthe) a bhí dílsithe dó de bheith ar marthain chun tairbhe a eastáit.
(2) Más rud é, de bhua fho-alt (1) den alt seo, go mairfidh cúis chaingne chun tairbhe eastáit duine éagtha, ní dhéanfar damáistí eiseamláireacha, ná damáistí mar gheall ar aon phian nó fulaingt nó díobháil phearsanta nó mar gheall ar chiorrú saoil nó sonais nó laghdú ar dhóigh saoil nó sonais, a áireamh ar na damáistí is inghnóthaithe chun tairbhe eastát an duine sin.
(3) Más rud é—
(a) go mairfidh cúis chaingne de bhua fho-alt (1) den alt seo chun tairbhe eastát duine atá tar éis bháis, agus
(b) gurbh iad na himthosca ba bhun leis an gcúis chaingne sin a thug bás an duine sin,
déanfar na damáistí is inghnóthaithe chun tairbhe a eastáit a ríomh gan tagairt d'aon chaillteanas nó brabach a bhain dá eastát de dhroim a bháis, ach amháin go bhféadfar suim a áireamh i leith caiteachais adhlactha.
(4) Na cearta a thugtar leis an alt seo chun tairbhe eastát duine atá tar éis bháis is cearta iad de bhreis ar na cearta a thugtar do chleithiúnaithe daoine atá tar éis bháis le Cuid III d'Acht 1936 agus le Cuid IV den Acht seo.
Cúiseanna caingne a bheidh ar marthain i gcoinne duine a bheidh tar éis bháis
Maireachtáil cúiseanna caingne áirithe a bheidh ar marthain i gcoinne duine a bheidh tar éis bháis.
8.—(1) Ar dhuine d'fháil bháis ar dháta an Achta seo a rith nó dá éis sin, leanfaidh na cúiseanna caingne uile (seachas cúiseanna caingne eiscthe) a bheidh ar marthain ina choinne de bheith ar marthain i gcoinne a eastáit.
(2) I gcás inar fulaingíodh damáiste mar gheall ar aon ghníomh a mbeadh cúis chaingne ar marthain ina leith i gcoinne duine ar bith dá mba rud é nach bhfuair sé bás sular fulaingíodh nó san am céanna a fulaingíodh an damáiste, measfar, chun críocha fho-alt (1) den alt seo, go raibh ar marthain ina choinne roimh a bhás cibé cúis chaingne i leith an ghnímh sin a bheadh ar marthain dá mba rud é gur tar éis an damáiste a fhulaingt a fuair sé bás.
Teorainn ama le cúiseanna caingne a mhairfidh i gcoinne eastát duine a bheidh tar éis bháis.
9.—(1) San alt seo ciallaíonn “an tréimhse iomchuí” an tréimhse chinnteachta a ordaítear le Reacht na dTréimhsí nó le haon achtachán cinnteachta eile.
(2) Ní bheidh aon imeachtaí inchothaithe maidir le cúis chaingne ar bith a bheidh ar marthain i gcoinne eastát duine a bheidh tar éis bháis mura rud é—
(a) gur tionscnaíodh imeachtaí ina choinne maidir leis an gcúis chaingne sin sa tréimhse iomchuí agus go raibh siad ar feitheamh ar dháta a bháis, nó
(b) go dtionscnófar imeachtaí maidir leis an gcúis chaingne sin laistigh den tréimhse iomchuí nó laistigh de thréimhse dhá bhliain tar éis a bháis, cibé tréimhse acu is túisce a rachaidh in éag.
Dócmhainneacht eastáit arb inchothaithe imeachtaí ina choinne.
10.—I gcás eastát arb inchothaithe imeachtaí ina choinne a bheith dócmhainneach, measfar aon dliteanas maidir leis an gcúis chaingne arb inchothaithe na himeachtaí ina leith a bheith ina fhiach is inchruthaithe i riaradh an eastáit, d'ainneoin gurb éileamh é ar mhodh damáistí neamhleachtaithe a d'éirigh ar shlí seachas trí chonradh nó gealltanas.
CUID III
Locht Comhthráthach
Caibidil I
Dliteanas éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha
Daoine is éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha.
11.—(1) Chun críocha na Coda seo, is éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha beirt daoine nó níos mó nuair is éagóiritheoirí iad araon nó iad go léir agus go bhfuil siad freagrach don tríú duine (dá ngairtear an duine díobháilte nó an gearánaí sa Chuid seo) sa damáiste céanna, cibé acu a gnóthaíodh nó nár gnóthaíodh breithiúnas i gcoinne cuid acu nó ina gcoinne go léir.
(2) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1) den alt seo—
(a) féadfaidh daoine teacht chun bheith ina n-éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha de thoradh dliteanais ionadaigh duine i leith duine eile, sárú comhdhualgais, comhcheilge, gníomhaíocht chomhbheartaithe chun comhchríche nó gníomhartha neamhspleácha a thug an damáiste céanna;
(b) féadfaidh an éagóir ag duine díobh nó acu araon bheith ina thort, ina shárú conartha nó ina shárú iontaobhais nó ina chumasc ar bith díobh sin,
(c) is cuma cé acu gníomhartha comhaimseartha nó gníomhartha comhleanúnacha na gníomhartha a dhéanann éagóracha comhthráthacha.
(3) Má bhíonn locht ar bheirt daoine nó níos mó agus go mbeidh duine amháin acu nó níos mó freagrach i ndamáiste ach an duine nó na daoine eile a bheith saor ó fhreagracht chúisí, ach nach féidir a shuíomh cén chaoi a bhfuil an cás eatarthu, measfar gurb éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha i leith an damáiste an bheirt duine sin nó níos mó.
(4) Má bhíonn comhleabhal ann in imthosca a chaomhnaítear de ghnáth leis an gcosaint go raibh sé faoi phribhléid shrianta nó gurbh imchaint dhlisteanach ar ábhar suime poiblí a bhí ann, ní chloífidh mailís duine amháin cosaint an duine eile, mura bhfuil an duine sin faoi dhliteanas ionadach i leith mhailís an chéad duine.
(5) Má fhoilsíonn daoine éagsúla an leabhal nó an clúmhilleadh céanna nó an bhréag dhíobhálach chéanna nó a leithéid chéanna, go substaintiúil, de leabhal, de chlúmhilleadh nó de bhréag dhíobhálach, cuirfidh an chúirt san áireamh a mhéid is dócha a foilsíodh go díreach nó go neamhdhíreach do na daoine céanna an ráiteas a bheidh i gceist, agus sa mhéid sin féadfaidh sí a chinneadh gurb éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha na héagóiritheoirí.
(6) Chun críche aon achtacháin a thagraíonn do thort sonrach, measfar gur caingean mar gheall ar an tort sin caingean mar gheall ar chomhcheilg chun an tort sin a dhéanamh.
Réim dliteanais.
12.—(1) Faoi réir fhorálacha ailt 14, 38 agus 46, tá gach éagóiritheoir comhthráthach ar leithligh faoi dhliteanas i leith iomlán an damáiste arb éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha iad ina leith.
(2) I gcás ina mbeidh gníomhartha bheirt daoine nó níos mó nach éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha ina gcúis le míreanna ar leithligh damáiste den sórt céanna don tríú duine nó do dhuine dá líon féin, féadfaidh an chúirt dliteanas a chionroinnt idir na daoine sin i cibé slí is cóir de réir dhóchúlachtaí an cháis, nó i gcás locht a bheith ar an ngearánaí féadfaidh an chúirt na damáistí a laghdú ar an gcuma chéanna; agus mura féidir na cionúireachtaí cearta a chinneadh féadfar na damáistí a chionroinnt nó a roinnt go comhionann.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag fo-alt (2) den alt seo i gcás beirt daoine nó níos mó más núis a ngníomhartha ar iad a thógáil le chéile, ar a shon nach mbeadh gníomh aon duine áirithe díobh ina núis ..ann féin ar leithligh, ó nach gníomh de chéimse mhíréasúnta é.
Uamadh cosantóirí.
13.—Féadfar caingean a thabhairt i gcoinne gach uile dhuine de líon éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha nó i gcoinne aon duine áirithe díobh gan an duine nó na daoine eile a uamadh, ach beidh cumhacht ag an gcúirt—
(a) i gcaingean mar gheall ar fhorghníomhú iontaobhas, a cheangal go mbeadh ionadaíocht cheart ann don eastát iontaobhais;
(b) i gcaingean a mbeidh an teideal chun maoine i gceist inti, a cheangal go ndéanfaí na daoine go léir a bhfuil leas acu nó a bheidh á éileamh go bhfuil leas acu sa mhaoin a uamadh.
Breithiúnais a thabhairt go leithleach.
14.—(1) I gcás ina dtabharfar breithiúnas i gcoinne éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha a agrófar i dteannta a chéile, féadfaidh an chúirt breithiúnas a thabhairt i gcoinne na gcosantóirí i dteannta a chéile nó i gcoinne na gcosantóirí ar leith ó chéile agus, má thugtar an breithiúnas i gcoinne na gcosantóirí i dteannta a chéile, beidh éifeacht aige ionann is dá mba ina gcoinne ar leith ó chéile a tugadh é.
(2) Faoi réir fho-ailt (3) agus (6) den alt seo agus ailt 38 agus 46, beidh gach breithiúnas acu sin ina bhreithiúnas le haghaidh iomlán dhamáistí an ghearánaí arb éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha ina leith na cosantóirí, maraon le haon damáistí breise a mbeidh an cosantóir áirithe ar tugadh breithiúnas ina choinne faoi dhliteanas go haonarach ina leith agus, má rinne an giúiré céanna ina fhíorasc damáistí a chionroinnt idir na cosantóirí ar an bhforas go bhfuil sé ceaptha iomlán na ndamáistí a dámhadh a bheith comhionann leis an gcaillteanas a bhain don ghearánaí de dheasca na n-éagóracha comhthráthacha, beidh an gearánaí i dteideal breithiúnas i gcoinne na gcosantóirí le haghaidh comhshuim na ndamáistí sin.
(3) Féadfaidh an gearánaí a chomhaontú go nglacfaidh sé lena dhamáistí a chionroinnt ar na cosantóirí de réir a gcéimsí lochta agus, sa chás sin, beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha seo a leanas—
(a) ní oibreoidh sásamh i gcás breithiúnais amháin mar shásamh i gcás na mbreithiúnas eile;
(b) ní bheidh aon cheart ranníoca eatarthu féin ag na cosantóirí;
(c) tráth ar bith laistigh den tréimhse a bheidh ceaptha le dlí chun breithiúnais a chur i bhfeidhm agus ar a chruthú gur theip air, tar éis bearta réasúnacha a dhéanamh, sásamh aon bhreithiúnais a fháil go hiomlán nó go páirteach, beidh de chead ag an ngearánaí breithiúnais thánaisteacha a iarraidh a mbeidh d'éifeacht leo an t-easnamh a roinnt ar na cosantóirí eile i cibé cionúireachtaí a bheidh cóir cothromasach.
(4) I gcás ina mbeidh an chúirt ullamh ar dhamáistí pionósacha a dhámhadh i gcoinne duine amháin de líon tortóirí comhthráthacha, ní dhámhfar damáistí pionósacha i gcoinne duine eile de na tortóirí sin ar an aonchúis gur tortóir comhthráthach é, ach féadfar breithiúnas le haghaidh suim bhreise mar damáistí pionósacha a thabhairt i gcoinne an tortóra chéadluaite.
(5) Sa bhreithiúnas a luaitear i bhfo-alt (4) den alt seo féadfar a shonrú gur mar dhamáistí pionósacha atá an tsuim bhreise sin á dámhadh, agus ní bheidh aon ranníoc iníoctha ina leith ag tortóir nach bhféadfaí go cuí an breithiúnas sin a thabhairt ina choinne.
(6) Más rud é, i gcaingean mar gheall ar leabhal nó clúmhilleadh, go mbeadh duine amháin de líon tortóirí comhthráthacha i dteideal, dá mba thortóir aonair é, maolú ar na damáistí is iníoctha aige ach nach mbeadh sé sin de theideal ag duine eile de na tortóirí sin, beidh an tortóir céadluaite sin i dteideal an mhaolaithe sin ar dhamáistí agus ní bheidh sé inordaithe chun ranníoc a dhéanamh ach amháin i leith an méid damáistí is iníoctha aige; agus féadfar an breithiúnas ina choinne a thabhairt dá réir sin.
Breithiúnas mainneachtana.
15.—(1) Má mhainníonn duine amháin de líon éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha a agrófar i dteannta a chéile láithriú nó cosaint a dhéanamh, féadfaidh an gearánaí breithiúnas idirbhreitheach a fháil ina choinne agus measúnófar damáistí ina choinne—
(a) san am céanna a measúnófar damáistí ag an triail i gcoinne na gcosantóirí eile a láithreoidh;
(b) má theipeann ar an ngearánaí i gcoinne na gcosantóirí eile sin nó má scoireann sé dá chaingean ina gcoinne, ar leithligh faoin mbreithiúnas idirbhreitheach.
(2) Má theipeann ar an ngearánaí i gcoinne na gcosantóirí a láithreoidh ar chúis a bheadh feidhmiúil ar dhliteanas gach duine díobh, urscaoilfear an breithiúnas idirbhreitheach.
(3) Má dhéantar damáistí an ghearánaí i gcoinne na gcosantóirí a láithreoidh a laghdú faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 34 mar gheall ar fhaillí rannpháirteach an ghearánaí, measúnófar damáistí faoi mbreithiúnas idirbhreitheach ionann is dá mbeadh an cosantóir tar éis láithriú.
(4) Ní bheidh feidhm ag an alt seo i gcás aon chuntar damáiste nach éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha ina leith an cosantóir a mhainneoidh agus na cosantóirí a láithreoidh.
Urscaoileadh agus urbhac mar gheall ar shásamh.
16.—(1) I gcás ina bhfulaingeoidh duine ar bith damáiste de dheasca éagóracha comhthráthacha, déanfaidh sásamh ó aon éagóiritheoir ar bith urscaoileadh ar na héagóiritheoirí eile cibé acu a agraíodh na héagóiritheoirí eile sin go feadh breithiúnais nó nár agraíodh.
(2) Ciallaíonn sásamh a íoc damáistí, cibé acu tar éis breithiúnais nó trí chomhaontú agus sásamh, nó trí aon ní ar a gcomhaontófar a dhéanamh mar mhalairt air sin.
(3) Más íoc damáistí a dhéanfar, ní foláir íocaíocht a dhéanamh i leith iomlán na ndamáistí ar ar chomhaontaigh an duine díobháilte nó ar bhreithnigh an chúirt gurbh iad na damáistí iad a bhí dlite dó i leith na héagóra; mura ndéanfar amhlaidh ní oibreoidh sé ach mar pháirt-sásamh.
(4) Aon duine díobháilte a ghlac sásamh ó dhuine ar líomhnaíodh é a bheith ina éagóiritheoir, cibé acu faoi bhreithiúnas nó eile é, beidh urbhac air, in aon imeacht ina dhiaidh sin i geoinne éagóiritheora eile i leith an damáiste chéanna, a shéanadh go raibh an duine a rinne an sásamh faoi dhliteanas aige; agus déanfar dliteanas an duine sin a ghlacadh ina áirithe go críochnaitheach chun críche na himeachta sin: ach féadfaidh an duine díobháilte dul chun dlí san imeacht sin faoi aon cheist dlí nó fíorais a bhainfidh le dliteanas an chosantóra i leith na himeachta sin, seachas an cheist i dtaobh cé acu duine a bhí faoi dhliteanas i leith an duine díobháilte a rinne an sásamh sin nó nach ea.
Fuascailt éagóiritheora amháin nó comhaontú leis.
17.—(1) I gcás éagóiritheoir amháin a scaoileadh nó comhaontú a dhéanamh leis urscaoilfear na héagóiritheoirí eile má léirítear sa scaoileadh nó sa chomhaontú sin é a bheith d'intinn na daoine eile a urscaoileadh.
(2) Mura léirítear aon intinn den sórt sin sa scaoileadh nó sa chomhaontú sin, ní urscaoilfear na héagóiritheoirí eile ach déanfar an duine díobháilte a áireamh mar an gcéanna leis an duine lena ndearnadh an scaoileadh nó an comhaontú in aon chaingean i gcoinne na n-éagóiritheoirí eile de réir mhír (h) d'fho-alt (1) d'alt 35; agus in aon chaingean den sórt sin déanfar an t-éileamh i gcoinne na n-éagóiritheoirí eile a laghdú i gcóimhéid leis an gcomaoin a íocadh i leith an scaoilte nó an chomhaontaithe, nó d'aon mhéid i gcóimhéid le haon suim a bhforálfaidh an scaoileadh nó an comhaontú a laghdófar an t-éileamh iomlán, nó sa mhéid go mbeadh an t-éagóiritheoir lena ndearnadh an scaoileadh nó an comhaontú faoi dhliteanas ranníoc a dhéanamh dá mbeadh éileamh iomlán an ghearánaí íoctha ag na héagóiritheoirí eile, cibé ceann de na trí shuim sin is mó.
(3) Chun críche na Coda seo, má thógtar amach as an gcúirt airgead a bhí íoctha isteach sa chúirt ag cosantóir measfar gur comhaontú agus sásamh leis an gcosantóir é.
Breithiúnas i gcoinne aon éagóiritheora amháin.
18.—(1) I gcás ina bhfulaingeoidh duine ar bith damáiste de dhroim éagóracha comhthráthacha—
(a) ní bheidh breithiúnas a ghnóthófar i gcoinne aon éagóiritheora a bheidh faoi dhliteanas i leith an damáiste sin ina urchosc ar chaingean i gcoinne aon duine eile a bheadh, dá n-agrófaí é, faoi dhliteanas mar éagóiritheoir comhthráthach i leith an damáiste chéanna;
(b) má dhéanann an duine a d'fhulaing an damáiste sin, nó má dhéantar thar a cheann, nó chun tairbhe a eastáit, nó chun tairbhe a chleithiúnaithe, níos mó ná aon chaingean amháin a thabhairt i leith an damáiste sin i gcoinne éagóiritheoirí a bheidh faoi dhliteanas i leith an damáiste, ní rachaidh comhiomlán na suimeanna is inghnóthaithe faoi na breithiúnais a thabharfar sna caingne sin mar dhamáistí thar mhéid na ndamáistí a dhámhfar leis an gcéad bhreithiúnas a tugadh; agus in aon chaingean acu sin, seachas an chaingean inar tugadh an chéad breithiúnas, ní bheidh an gearánaí i dteideal costas mura dóigh leis an gcúirt go raibh cúis réasúnach ann leis an gcaingean a thabhairt: ach ní bheidh feidhm ag an mír seo más é a bhí sa chéad bhreithiúnas a tugadh breithiúnas cionroinnte de bhun alt 14, alt 38 nó alt 46.
(2) Déanfar an tagairt atá san alt seo do “an chéad bhreithiúntas a tugadh” a fhorléiriú, i gcás an breithiúnas sin a fhreaschur ar achomharc, mar thagairt don chéad bhreithiúnas a tugadh agus nár freaschuireadh amhlaidh agus, i gcás breithiúnas a athrú ar achomharc, forléireofar í mar thagairt don bhreithiúnas sin arna athrú amhlaidh.
Breithiúnas i bhfabhar duine amháin a líomhnaíodh a bheith ina éagóiritheoir.
19.—(1) I gcás ina n-agróidh an duine díobháilte duine amháin nó níos mó de dhaoine a líomhnaíodh a bheith ina éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha agus go dtabharfar breithiúnas i bhfabhar aon chosantóra amháin, beidh an duine díobháilte faoi cheangal ag an gcinneadh fíorais i bhfabhar an chosantóra sin sa chaingean a bheidh faoi láthair nó ina dhiaidh sin ag an duine díobháilte i gcoinne duine nó daoine eile de na daoine a líomhnaíodh a bheith ina n-éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha.
(2) (a) Chun críche fho-alt (1) den alt seo, má thugtar breithiúnas i bhfabhar an chosantóra sin ar an bhforas gur scoir an duine díobháilte dá chaingean, beidh an duine díobháilte faoi cheangal ag na líomhaintí agus na séantaí i gcosaint an chosantóra sin ionann is dá mba rud é gur cinneadh iad i bhfabhar an chosantóra sin, sa mhéid go mbainfidh siad le hábhar na cosanta a bheidh ag an gcosantóir sin.
(b) Ní bheidh feidhm ag mír (a) den fho-alt seo mura rud é, de réir na bhfíoras, go mbeidh an duine díobháilte faoi urchosc toisc é scor dá chaingean an dara caingean a thabhairt i gcoinne an chosantóra sin.
(3) I gcás ina dtabharfar caingean i gcoinne éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha agus go dtabharfar breithiúnas i gcoinne duine amháin agus i bhfabhar duine eile ar chúis a bheadh feidhmiúil ar dhliteanas gach duine díobh, urscaoilfear an breithiúnas céadluaite.
(4) I gcás ina dtabharfar caingean i gcoinne éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha agus do dtabharfar breithiúnas i gcoinne duine amháin gan laghdú damáistí agus i gcoinne duine eile faoi réir laghdú damáistí faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 34 mar gheall ar fhaillí rannpháirteach an ghearánaí, déanfar na damáistí faoin mbreithiúnas céadluaite a mheasúnú faoi réir an laghdaithe chomhréire chéanna, agus beidh feidhm ag forálacha alt 38.
Tréimhse chinnteachta do chaingne i gcoinne duine de líon éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha.
20.—Chun críche Reacht na dTréimhsí nó aon achtacháin chinnteachta eile, ní chuirfidh calaois cheilte ag duine de líon éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha am ar fionraí do dhuine nó do dhaoine eile díobh.
Caibidil II
Ranníoc idir éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha
Ranníoc i leith damáistí.
21.—(1) Faoi réir fhorálacha na Coda seo, féadfaidh éagóiritheoir comhthráthach (dá ngairtear an t-éilitheoir chun na críche seo) ranníoc a ghnóthú ó aon éagóiritheoir eile atá, nó a bheadh dá n-agrófaí é tráth na héagóra, faoi dhliteanas i leith an damáiste chéanna (dá ngairtear an ranníocóir chun na críche seo), sa tslí, áfach, nach mbeidh aon duine i dteideal ranníoc a ghnóthú faoin gCuid seo ó aon duine a bheidh i dteideal a shlánaithe aige i leith an dliteanas a mbeidh an ranníoc á lorg ina leith.
(2) In aon imeachtaí le haghaidh ranníoca faoin gCuid seo, is é a bheidh sa ranníoc is inghnóthaithe ó aon ranníocóir cibé suim a chinnfidh an chúirt a bheith cóir cothromasach ag féachaint do chéimse éagóra an ranníocóra sin, agus beidh de chumhacht ag an gcúirt duine ar bith a dhíolmhadh ó dhliteanas chun ranníoc a dhéanamh nó a ordú gurb ionann agus slánaíocht iomlán an ranníoc a bheidh le gnóthú ó aon ranníocóir.
Ranníoc a éileoidh tortóir a rinne socraíocht.
22.—(1) I gcás ina ndearna an t-éilitheoir socraíocht leis an duine díobháilte ar chuma gur urchoisceadh éileamh an duine dhíobháilte i gcoinne na n-éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha eile, féadfaidh an t-éilitheoir ranníoc a ghnóthú sa tslí chéanna ina ndéanfadh dá mba rud é gur tugadh breithiúnas i leith damáistí ina choinne, má shásaíonn sé an chúirt go raibh méid na socraíochta réasúnach; agus, má chinneann an chúirt go raibh méid na socraíochta iomarcach, féadfaidh sí a shocrú cad é an méid ar ar chóir an t-éileamh a shocrú.
(2) Má rinne an t-éilitheoir socraíocht leis an duine díobháilte gan urchosc a chur ar éileamh an duine dhíobháilte i gcoinne na n-éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha eile nó má d'íoc sé leis an duine díobháilte suim mar gheall ar a dhamáistí, beidh ag an éilitheoir an ceart céanna ranníoca a dúradh, agus chun na críche sin déanfar íoc comaoine réasúnaí i leith scaoileadh nó comhaontú a áireamh mar íoc damáistí a mbeidh an t-éilitheoir faoi dhliteanas ina leith ag an duine díobháilte: ach beidh de cheart ag an ranníocóir aisíoc na suime uile nó cuid den tsuim a bheidh íoctha amhlaidh a éileamh má chuirtear iallach ina dhiaidh sin ar an ranníocóir sin suim a íoc mar shocraíocht ar a dhliteanas féin i leith an duine dhíobháilte agus go dtabharfaidh na himthosca go mbeidh sé cóir cothromasach aisíoc a dhéanamh.
Breithiú na ranníoca a chur i bhfeidhm.
23.—(1) I gcás ina ndéanfar, de réir fhorálacha na Coda seo, breithiúnas ranníoca a thabhairt i leith damáistí a bhfuil nó a raibh an t-éilitheoir faoi dhliteanas ina leith ag an duine díobháilte, ní eiseofar forghníomhú ar an mbreithiúnas sin go dtí go mbeidh an t-éilitheoir ar ina fhabhar a tugadh é tar éis sásamh a thabhairt roimh an mbreithiúnas sin nó ina dhiaidh sna damáistí go léir nó i gcuid de na damáistí a mbeidh sé faoi dhliteanas ina leith ag an duine díobháilte, agus ansin ní eiseoidh an forghníomhú ach amháin i leith an mhéid a bheidh sa tsuim a d'íoc sé de bhreis ar a chionúireacht chóir den méid áirithe sin, mar a chinnfidh an chúirt an chionúireacht sin de réir na Coda seo.
(2) D'ainneoin aon ní i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo, féadfar forghníomhú a eisiúint ar an mbreithiúnas sin mar a dúradh tar éis don éilitheoir ar ina fhabhar a tugadh é sásamh a thabhairt ina chionúireacht chóir de na damáistí a mbeidh sé faoi dhliteanas ina leith ag an duine díobháilte, ar choinníoll sa chás sin go ndéanfaidh an chúirt foráil, trí ghealltanas pearsanta a fháil ó aturnae an éilitheora nó ar shlí eile, chun an tsuim a gheofar faoin mbreithiúnas sin a chur chun feidhme le haghaidh sásaimh sna damáistí a bheidh dlite don duine díobháilte.
(3) San alt seo ciallaíonn “damáistí a mbeidh sé faoi dhliteanas ina leith ag an duine díobháilte” damáistí a mbeidh an t-éilitheoir faoi dhliteanas ina leith an tráth a thabharfar sásamh don duine díobháilte nó dá ionadaithe nó dá shannaithe dleathacha.
(4) Má thugann an t-éilitheoir íocaíocht i leith damáistí tráth a bheidh cúis chaingne an duine dhíobháilte i gcoinne an éilitheora faoi urchosc ag Reacht na dTréimhsí nó ag aon achtachán cinnteachta eile, ní bhunóidh sé sin éileamh chun forghníomhú a thobhach faoi bhreithiúnas ranníoca: ach bunóidh íocaíocht den sórt sin éileamh den sórt sin más rud é, tráth a déanta, nach raibh cúis chaingne an duine dhíobháilte i gcoinne an ranníocóra faoi urchosc.
Ranníoc i leith costas.
24.—Féadfar breithiúnas ranníoca a thabhairt i leith costas is iníoctha leis an duine díobháilte nó costas faoina ndeachaigh an t-éilitheoir: ach, i gcás inar agair an duine díobháilte an t-éilitheoir agus an ranníocóir i dteannta a chéile agus gur ghnóthaigh sé breithiúnas costas ina gcoinne araon, beidh feidhm ag forálacha alt 23, ach an focal “costais” a chur in ionad an fhocail “damáistí” gach áit a bhfuil sé san alt sin.
Eagóiritheoir amháin a bheith gan áireamh san éileamh ar ranníoc; ranníoc i leith ranníoca.
25.—Más rud é, as tríúr éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha nó níos mó, go bhfágfar duine acu gan áireamh san éileamh ar ranníoc, dámhfar ranníoc don éilitheoir ar an bhforas go mbeidh freagracht sa damáiste le bheith ar an éilitheoir agus ar an ranníocóir nó na ranníocóirí gan aird a thabhairt ar fhreagracht an éagóiritheora a fágadh gan áireamh, agus, i gcás den sórt sin, féadfaidh éilitheoir a méadófar an glan-dliteanas a bheidh fágtha air, nó féadfaidh ranníocóir a méadófar a ranníoc de bhrí nár tugadh breithiúnas i gcoinne an éagóiritheora a fágadh gan áireamh, ranníoc a éileamh ar an éagóiritheoir sin a fágadh gan áireamh de réir fhorálacha na Coda seo: ach, i gcás ina ndéanfaidh ranníocóir an t-éileamh sin is déanaí a luaitear i leith a dhliteanais féin chun ranníoc a dhéanamh agus go dtabharfar breithiúnas i bhfabhar an ranníocóra sin, ní eiseofar forghníomhú ar an mbreithiúnas sin—
(a) ach amháin de réir fhorálacha alt 23, agus “ranníoc” a chur in ionad “damáistí” agus “éilitheoir bunaidh ar ranníoc” in ionad “duine díobháilte” gach áit a bhfuil siad sin san alt sin agus é a bheith le tuiscint go gciallaíonn “cionúireacht chóir” san alt sin, chun na críche sin, cionúireacht chóir amhail idir an ranníocóir arb ina fhabhar a thugtar breithiúnas ranníoca anois agus an t-éagóiritheoir ar ina choinne a thugtar an breithiúnas sin, agus in aon chás
(b) le haghaidh méid is mó ná an tsuim a bheidh, ar í a chur leis an méid (más ann) a bheidh dlite fós don duine díobháilte, comhionann le cionúireacht chóir na ndamáistí is iníoctha ag an éagóiritheoir ar ina choinne a thabharfar an breithiúnas sin.
Ranníoc i gcás ina dtabharfar maoin ar ais dá búinéir.
26.—Chun críche éilimh ar ranníoc—
(a) measfar duine a thabharfaidh maoin ar ais dá fíor-úinéir a bheith ina éagóiritheoir comhthráthach i dteannta éagóiritheora trínar éiligh sé an mhaoin ar dtús agus ba éagóiritheoir maidir léi i leith an fhíor-úinéara, agus
(b) i gcás maoin a thabhairt ar ais amhlaidh, measfar, amhail i gcoinne an éagóiritheora sin, gurb ionann é agus damáistí a íoc sa mhéid is fiú an mhaoin.
An nós imeachta chun ranníoc a éileamh
27.—(1) Aon éagóiritheoir comhthráthach a agrófar le haghaidh damáistí nó ranníoca agus ar mian leis éileamh a dhéanamh ar ranníoc faoin gCuid seo—
(a) ní bheidh sé, más páirtí sa chaingean cheana féin an duine a bhfuil sé chun an ranníoc a éileamh air, i dteideal ranníoc a éileamh ach amháin trí éileamh sa chaingean sin cibé acu roimh an mbreithiúnas sa chaingean nó dá éis sin é; agus
(b) déanfaidh sé, mura páirtí sa chaingean cheana féin an duine sin, fógra tríú páirtí a sheirbheáil ar an duine sin a luaithe is féidir de réir réasúin agus, tar éis an fógra sin a sheirbheáil, ní bheidh sé i dteideal ranníoc a éileamh ach amháin faoi nós imeachta an tríú páirtí. Mura seirbheálfar an fógra tríú páirtí sin mar a dúradh, féadfaidh an chúirt dá rogha féin diúltú ordú ranníoca a dhéanamh i gcoinne an duine a mbeidh an ranníoc á éileamh air.
(2) Ní bheidh feidhm ag forálacha fho-alt (1) den alt seo maidir le haon éileamh ar ranníoc i gcás na páirtithe san éileamh a bheith coiscthe trí chomhaontú nó eile ó dhíospóid a dhéanamh faoi aon chinneadh roimhe sin ag cúirt ar mhéid damáistí an duine dhíobháilte agus ar an gcionúireacht inar chóir ranníoc a dhéanamh.
(3) I gcás ina n-iarrfar fógra tríú páirtí a sheirbheáil ag éileamh ranníoca nó ag éileamh damáistí i leith éagóra a rinneadh ar ghearánaí an tríú páirtí, agus an t-éileamh sin ar dhamáistí a bheith tar éis teacht go hiomlán nó go páirteach de na fíorais chéanna dár tháinig éileamh an phríomh-ghearánaí, ní dhiúltófar cead chun fógra tríú páirtí a sheirbheáil ar an aon-chúis go mbainfidh crua-cheist dlí leis an tsaincheist idir gearánaí an tríú páirtí agus an tríú páirtí.
(4) I gcás ina ndéanfaidh éagóiritheoir comhthráthach íocaíocht leis an duine díobháilte gan chaingean mar shocraíocht ar éileamh an duine dhíobháilte ina choinne féin agus ina dhiaidh sin go n-éileoidh sé ranníoc de réir alt 22, beidh de cheart ag an ranníocóir an duine díobháilte a uamadh mar chomhchosantóir chun é a chur faoi cheangal ag an gcinneadh ar na cionúireachtaí ranníoca mura rud é gur comhghearánaí sa chaingean an duine díobháilte nó gur chomhaontaigh an duine díobháilte go héifeachtúil bheith faoi cheangal ag an gcinneadh sin nó nach bhfuil aon éileamh ag an duine díobháilte i gcoinne an ranníocóra nó go bhfuil an duine díobháilte tar éis an ranníocóir a agairt go feadh breithiúnais cheana féin.
Caillteanas a roinnt i gcás nach bhfaighfear sásamh.
28.—Más rud é, as triúr éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha nó níos mó, go dtabharfar breithiúnas ranníoca i bhfabhar duine acu agus i gcoinne beirt nó níos mó, ansin tráth ar bith laistigh den tréimhse a cheaptar le dlí chun breithiúnais a chur i bhfeidhm agus ar a chruthú gur theip air, tar éis bearta réasúnacha a dhéanamh, sásamh aon bhreithiúnais a fháil go hiomlán nó go páirteach, beidh cead ag an éilitheoir breithiúnais thánaisteacha a iarraidh a mbeidh d'éifeacht leo an t-easnamh a roinnt ar na cosantóirí eile i cibé cionúireachtaí a bheidh cóir cothromasach.
Urbhac nuair a éileofar ranníoc.
29.—(1) In aon imeacht ag iarraidh ranníoca, ní bheidh an ranníocóir i dteideal cur i gcoinne an éilimh ar an bhforas nach raibh an t-éilitheoir a rinne íocaíocht leis an duine díobháilte faoi dhliteanas i leith an duine sin; ach, faoi réir an ailt seo agus an dlí ghinearálta i dtaobh urbhacadh, féadfaidh sé cur i gcoinne an éilimh ar an bhforas nach bhfuil sé féin faoi dhliteanas i leith an duine sin agus, chuige sin, féadfaidh sé aon cheist dlí nó fíorais a dhíospóid fiú má éiríonn an cheist sin freisin i dtaobh dliteanas an éilitheora i leith an duine dhíobháilte; agus féadfaidh an ranníocóir sa tslí chéanna méid an damáiste a d'fhulaing an duine díobháilte a dhíospóid.
(2) I gcás ina ndéanfar éileamh ar ranníoc trí fhógra tríú páirtí i gcaingean an duine dhíobháilte agus go dtabharfar cead don tríú páirtí an phríomh-chaingean a chosaint, beidh sé faoi cheangal ag cinneadh na cúirte ar na ceisteanna a cheadófar dó a chosaint.
(3) I gcás ina raibh eolas ag an ranníocóir ar chaingean a thug an duine díobháilte i gcoinne an éilitheora, agus gur fhailligh sé go míréasúnach tairiscint a dhéanamh chun cabhrú leis an éilitheoir ag cosaint na caingne, agus go bhfuair an duine díobháilte breithiúnas i gcoinne an éilitheora, beidh urbhac ar an ranníocóir, in aon imeacht a thabharfaidh an t-éilitheoir ina choinne, díospóid a dhéanamh faoi chuibheas nó faoi mhéid an bhreithiúnais a fuair an duine díobháilte nó faoi aon cheist dlí nó fíorais a mbeidh comhbhaint aici le dliteanas an éilitheora i leith an duine dhíobháilte agus le dliteanas an ranníocóra i leith an duine dhíobháilte: ach ní bheidh urbhac amhlaidh ar an ranníocóir i gcás inar ghéill an t-éilitheoir do bhreithiúnas de chalaois ar an ranníocóir.
(4) In aon imeacht ag iarraidh ranníoca beidh an t-éilitheoir faoi cheangal ag aon chinneadh dlí nó fíorais i gcaingean an duine dhíobháilte ina choinne ba ghá chun a dhliteanas i leith an duine dhíobháilte a shuíomh.
(5) I gcás inar agair an duine díobháilte an t-éilitheoir agus an ranníocóir i dteannta a chéile agus gur theip air i gcoinne au ranníocóra, beidh an t-éilitheoir faoi cheangal, in aon imeacht ag iarraidh ranníoca, ag aon chinneadh dlí nó fíorais ba ghá chun obadh do dhliteanas an ranníocóra i leith an duine dhíobháilte: ar choinníoll—
(a) nach mbeidh an t-éilitheoir faoi cheangal amhlaidh i gcás inar ghéill an duine díobháilte do bhreithiúnas de chalaois ar an éilitheoir;
(b) ní bheidh feidhm ag an bhfo-alt seo más i gcúirt lasmuigh den Stát a tionscnaíodh caingean an duine dhíobháilte, mura rud é go raibh caoi de réir dlí na cúirte ag an éilitheoir chun fianaise a thabhairt ar aird i gcoinne an ranníocóra, chun achomharc a dhéanamh i gcoinne breithiúnais ina fhabhar agus chun achomharc uaidh sin a chonspóid.
(6) (a) Beidh cinneadh ar an gcionúireacht éagóra idir éilitheoir agus ranníocóir i gcás éileamh ag iarraidh ranníoca ina cheangal ar na daoine céanna in éileamh ina dhiaidh sin i leith damáiste a d'fhulaing duine acu nó iad araon agus a tháinig de na fíorais chéanna, agus, i gcor dá mhalairt, beidh cinneadh den sórt sin in éileamh i leith an damáiste sin ina cheangal ar na daoine céanna in éileamh ina dhiaidh sin ar ranníoc.
(b) Beidh feidhm ag mír (a) den fho-alt seo idir dhá pháirtí d'ainneoin ceann acu a bheith ina pháirtí sa dá chaingean i gcáileanna éagsúla.
(7) Eagóiritheoir comhthráthach a dhéanfaidh íocaíocht leis an duine díobháilte gan chaingean mar shocraíocht ar éileamh an duine dhíobháilte ina choinne féin agus a éileoidh ranníoc ina dhiaidh sin faoi alt 22, beidh sé, má d'agair an duine díobháilte an ranníocóir, faoi cheangal ag an gcionroinnt a rinne an chúirt i gcaingean an duine dhíobháilte de réir mhír (h) d'fho-alt (1) d'alt 35.
(8) Ní cosaint é ar éileamh ar ranníoc a shuíomh gur theip ar an duine díobháilte i gcaingean i gcoinne an ranníocóra nach raibh an t-éilitheoir ina pháirtí inti agus gan a shuíomh ach an ní sin.
Leanúntais dhlíthiúla as éileamh ar ranníoc.
30.—Measfar an ceart chun a iarraidh ar an gcúirt ranníoc a dhámhadh a bheith ina chineál de cheart samhail-chonarthach a aistreoidh chun ionadaithe pearsanta an éilitheora chun tairbhe dá eastát, agus beidh éifeacht leis i gcoinne ionadaithe pearsanta an ranníocóra; agus measfar an ceart chun ranníoca a bheith ina chúis caingne de réir alt 9.
Tréimhse chinnteacha i gcás caingne ag iarraidh ranníoca.
31.—Féadfar caingean ag iarraidh ranníoca a thionscnamh laistigh den tréimhse chéanna a cheadaítear le dlí don duine díobháilte chun caingean a thionscnamh i gcoinne an ranníocóra, nó laistigh den tréimhse dhá bhliain tar éis dliteanas an éilitheora a fhionnadh nó tar éis damáistí an duine dhíobháilte a íoc, cibé tréimhse acu is faide.
Fianaise agus achomhairc.
32.—(1) I gcás ina dtionscnófar caingean i gcoinne beirt daoine nó níos mó mar éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha, beidh de cheart ag gach cosantóir ar leith fianaise a thabhairt ar aird i gcoinne an duine nó na ndaoine eile.
(2) I gcás ina dtionscnófar caingean i gcoinne beirt daoine nó níos mó mar éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha agus go bhfaighidh an gearánaí breithiúnas agus go sásóidh duine de na héagóiritheoirí sin an breithiúnas, féadfaidh duine eile de na héagóiritheoirí sin achomharc a dhéanamh i gcoinne an bhreithiúnais d'ainneoin gur sásaíodh an breithiúnas.
(3) I gcás ina dtionscnófar caingean i gcoinne beirt daoine nó níos mó mar éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha agus go bhfaighidh an gearánaí breithiúnas agus go ndéanfaidh cosantóir amháin achomharc i gcoinne an bhreithiúnais, féadfaidh cosantóir eile, ar cibé fógra a thabhairt is gá de réir rialacha cúirte, an t-achomharc a chonspóid mar fhreagróir.
(4) I gcás ina dtionscnófar caingean i gcoinne beirt daoine nó níos mó mar éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha agus go n-éireoidh leis an ngearánaí i gcoinne duine acu agus go dteipfidh air i gcoinne duine eile, féadfaidh an cosantóir nach n-éireoidh leis achomharc a dhéanamh i gcoinne an bhreithiúnais i bhfabhar an chosantóra ar éirigh leis.
Ranníoc a áireamh mar dhamáistí.
33.—(1) Chun críche conartha ag árachú in aghaidh dliteanas i leith éagóra nó in aghaidh dliteanas chun damáistí a íoc, dliteanas éagóiritheora chun ranníoc a dhéanamh faoin gCuid seo le héagóiritheoir comhthráthach measfar é a bheith ina dhliteanas chun damáistí a íoc mar gheall ar éagóir, mura léir a mhalairt d'intinn ón gconradh.
(2) I gcás éileamh ar ranníoc idir éagóiritheoirí a dhéanamh faoi chonradh le haghaidh ranníoc eatarthu, beidh feidhm ag forálacha fho alt (1) den alt seo sa mhéid go bhféadfaí an t-éileamh a dhéanamh faoi fhorálacha na Coda seo in ionad é a dhéanamh faoin gconradh le haghaidh ranníoca.
Caibidil III
Faillí rannpháirteach
Dliteanas a chionroinnt i gcás faillí rannpháirteach.
34.—(1) Más rud é, in aon chaingean a thionscnóidh duine amháin maidir le héagóir a rinne aon duine eile, go gcruthófar go ndearnadh an damáiste a d'fhulaing an gearánaí go páirteach trí fhaillí nó easpa cúraim an ghearánaí nó dhuine a bhfuil an gearánaí freagrach ina ghníomhartha (dá ngairtear faillí rannpháirteach sa Chuid seo) agus go páirteach trí éagóir an chosantóra, déanfar na damáistí is inghnóthaithe i leith na héagóra sin a laghdú an méid a mheasfaidh an chúirt a bheith cóir cothromasach ag féachaint do chéimsí lochta an ghearánaí agus an chosantóra: ar choinníoll—
(a) go ndéanfar an dliteanas a chionroinnt go cothrom más rud é, ag féachaint d'imthosca uile an cháis, nach féidir céimsí éagsúla lochta a shuíomh;
(b) nach n-oibreoidh an fo-alt seo chun go gcloífidh sé aon chosaint a éireoidh faoi chonradh ná an chosaint gur chomhaontaigh an gearánaí, roimh an ngníomh a gearánadh, a chearta dlíthiúla ina leith a tharscaoileadh, cibé acu ar luach-chomaoin é nó nach ea; ach, faoi réir mar a dúradh, beidh feidhm ag forálacha an fho-ailt seo d'ainneoin go bhféadfadh go mbeadh ag an gcosantóir, ar leith ón bhfo-alt seo, an chosaint gur glacadh an fiontar go saorálach;
(c) i gcás aon chonradh nó achtachán lena ndéantar foráil ag teorannú dliteanais a bheith infheidhmithe maidir leis an éileamh, nach rachaidh an méid damáistí a dhámhfar don ghearánaí de bhua an fho-ailt seo thar an teorainn uasta is infheidhmithe amhlaidh.
(2) Chun críche fho-alt (1) den alt seo—
(a) féadfar a áireamh ar dhamáiste a d'fhulaing gearánaí damáistí a d'íoc an gearánaí le tríú duine a d'fhulaing damáiste mar gheall ar éagóracha comhthráthacha an ghearánaí agus an chosantóra, agus is ionann an tréimhse chinnteachta chun na damáistí sin a éileamh agus an tréimhse chinnteachta afhoráiltear le halt 31 do chaingne ag iarraidh ranníocaí;
(b) measfar loiceadh faillíoch nó míchúramach ar dhamáiste a mhaolú a bheith ina fhaillí rannpháirteach maidir leis an méid ar mó an damáiste sin ná an damáiste a tharlódh mura mbeadh an loiceadh sin;
(c) ní bheidh loiceadh an ghearánaí ar chúram réasúnach a ghlacadh chun é féin a chosaint in ionannas le faillí rannpháirteach maidir le damáiste murar tharla an damáiste sin de dheasca an fhiontair áirithe ar chuir a iompar ina bhealach é, agus ní bheidh sárú a dhualgais reachtúil ag an ngearánaí in ionannas le faillí rannpháirteach murab é a bheidh sa damáiste a ghearánfaidh sé damáiste ar ceapadh an reacht chun é a chosc;
(d) má loiceann an gearánaí cúram réasúnach a ghlacadh ag cosaint a mhaoine féin ní mheasfar, ach amháin sa mhéid gur saibhríodh an cosantóir go neamhchóir, é sin a bheith ina fhaillí rannpháirteach i gcaingean le haghaidh comhshó na maoine;
(e) féadfar a chinneadh gurbh é éagóir an chosantóra ba chúis le damáiste d'ainneoin aon riail dlí lena ndéantar réim dualgais an chosantóra a theorannú chun nach mbainfeadh sé ach le cásanna nach raibh an gearánaí ciontach i bhfaillí rannpháirteach iontu: ach ní chuirfidh an mhír seo an cosantóir faoi dhliteanas mar gheall ar aon damáiste nach raibh seisean nó duine a bhfuil sé freagrach ina ghníomhartha míchúramach iarbhír maidir leis;
(f) i gcás ina dtionscnófar caingean mar gheall ar fhaillí maidir le ní ba chúis le damáiste má ba rud é, agus go raibh sé de réir réasúin, go bhféadfadh sé go ndéanfaí nó gur dócha go ndéanfaí scrúdú ar an ní tar éis é a bheith curtha as a láimh ag an gcosantóir, ní dhéanfaidh sé, ann féin, dualgas an chosantóra a eisiamh ach féadfar glacadh leis mar fhianaise nach raibh sé sna himthosca faillíoch agus é ag scaradh leis an ní ina riocht contúirteach.
(3) Beidh éifeacht faoi réir fhorálacha na Coda seo ag Airteagal 21 de Choinbhinsiún Vársá (a thugann cumhacht do chúirt carraeir a shaoradh go hiomlán nó go páirteach má chruthaíonn sé gurbh é faillí an duine dhíobháilte ba chúis, nó gur rannchuidigh sé, leis an damáiste).
Céannú.
35.—(1) Chun faillí rannpháirteach a chinneadh—
(a) beidh gearánaí freagrach i ngníomhartha duine a bhfuil sé, sna himthosca áirithe, faoi dhliteanas go hionadach ina leith;
(b) measfar gearánaí i gcaingean a thionscnófar chun tairbhe do chleithiúnaithe duine a bheidh tar éis bháis faoi Chuid IV (cibé acu ionadaí pearsanta an éagaigh nó cleithiúnaí air an gearánaí sin) a bheith freagrach i ngníomhartha an éagaigh;
(c) measfar gearánaí a bheidh ag agairt mar ionadaí pearsanta an duine a d'fhulaing an damáiste a bheith freagrach i ngníomhartha an duine sin;
(d) measfar gearánaí a bheidh ag agairt thar ceann duine eile (dá ngairtear gearánaí ainmniúil san alt seo) a bheith freagrach i ngníomhartha an duine eile sin (dá ngairtear an tairbhí san alt seo) agus, go sonrach, measfar duine a bheidh ag agairt mar ionadaí pearsanta duine a bheidh tar éis bháis a bheith freagrach i ngníomhartha na ndaoine a thairbheodh dá n-éireodh leis an gcaingean, lena n-áirítear cleithiúnaithe an éagaigh i gcás an chaingean a thionscnamh faoi Chuid IV: ar choinníoll—
(i) i gcás ina mbeidh gearánaí ainmniúil ag agairt thar ceann níos mó ná aon tairbhí amháin agus go raibh tairbhí amháin ciontach i bhfaillí rannpháirteach agus nach raibh tairbhí eile, nach mbeidh feidhm ag forálacha fho-alt (1) d'alt 34 ach amháin maidir le cion an tairbhí a bhí ciontach i bhfaillí rannpháirteach; agus go mbeidh feidhm ag forálacha alt 21 i bhfabhar an chosantóra agus i gcoinne an tairbhí a bhí ciontach amhlaidh i bhfaillí rannpháirteach, maidir leis an tsuim is iníoctha ag an gcosantóir chun tairbhe don tairbhí nach raibh ciontach i bhfaillí rannpháirteach;
(ii) má fhaigheann an chúirt go mbeidh sé níos caothúla, go bhféadfaidh an chúirt a cheadú do ghearánaí ainmniúil gnóthú go hiomlán d'ainneoin faillí rannpháirteach thairbhí, agus beidh feidhm ansin ag forálacha alt 21 i bhfabhar an chosantóra agus i gcoinne an tairbhí a bhí ciontach amhlaidh i bhfaillí rannpháirteach;
(e) measfar gearánaí a bheidh ag agairt mar shannaí duine eile, cibé acu le hoibriú dlí nó ar shlí eile é, a bheith freagrach i ngníomhartha an duine eile sin;
(f) i gcás inar bheirt daoine nó níos mó ba chúis le damáiste an ghearánaí agus go mbeadh na daoine sin ina n-éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha mura mbeadh conradh ag an ngearánaí le duine acu sul ar tharla an damáiste ag díolmhú an duine sin ó dhliteanas, measfar an gearánaí a bheith freagrach i ngníomhartha an duine sin;
(g) más rud é gur éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha ba chúis le damáiste an ghearánaí agus sular tharla an damáiste go ndearnadh dliteanas duine de na héagóiritheoirí sin trí chonradh leis an ngearánaí a chur faoi theorainn suime ba lú ná ceart-chion dliteanais an éagóiritheora sin idir é féin agus an t-éagóiritheoir eile mar a chinnfear sin faoi alt 21 ar leithligh ón gconradh sin, measfar an gearánaí a bheith freagrach i ngníomhartha an éagóiritheora sin;
(h) más rud é gur éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha ba chúis le damáiste an ghearánaí agus tar éis an damáiste tarlú gur urscaoileadh dliteanas duine de na héagóiritheoirí sin trí scaoileadh nó comhaontú arna dhéanamh leis ag an ngearánaí, agus gur fhan dliteanas na n-éagóiritheoirí eile, measfar an gearánaí a bheith freagrach i ngníomhartha an éagóiritheora ar urscaoileadh a dhliteanas amhlaidh;
(i) más rud é gur éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha ba chúis le damáiste an ghearánaí agus go mbeidh éileamh an ghearánaí i gcoinne éagóiritheora amháin faoi urchosc ag Reacht na dTréimhsí nó ag aon achtachán cinnteachta eile, measfar an gearánaí a bheith freagrach i ngníomhartha an éagóiritheora sin;
(j) más rud é gur éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha ba chúis le damáiste an ghearánaí agus, i gcaingean i gcoinne duine de na héagóiritheoirí sin, go dtabharfar breithiúnas i bhfabhar an chosantóra agus go dtionscnóidh an gearánaí caingean ansin i gcoinne duine eile de na héagóiritheoirí sin, measfar an gearánaí a bheith freagrach i ngníomhartha an chosantóra ar éirigh leis más feidir leis an gcosantóir a agraítear anois a chruthú gurbh éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha iarbhír é féin agus an cosantóir ar éirigh leis;
(k) gearánaí atá freagrach i ngníomhartha duine eile faoi mhíreanna (a) go (j) den fho-alt seo beidh sé freagrach freisin i ngníomhartha aon daoine eile a mbeadh an duine eile sin freagrach ina ngníomhartha faoi na míreanna sin dá mba ghearánaí é sa chaingean.
(2) Chun críche fho-alt (1) d'alt 34, ní dhéanfaidh—
(a) faillí rannpháirteach ghearánaí ainmniúil, ná
(b) (i gcás an chaingean a thionscnamh mar gheall ar consortium nó seirbhísí banchéile a chailleadh nó mar gheall ar sheirbhísí linbh nó seirbhísigh a chailleadh) faillí rannpháirteach bhanchéile, linbh nó sheirbhísigh,
urchosc ar ghnóthú ná laghdú ar na damáistí a dhámhfar; ach beidh feidhm ag forálacha alt 21 i bhfabhar an chosantóra agus i gcoinne an ghearánaí ainmniúil, an bhanchéile, an linbh nó an tseirbhísigh sin, de réir mar a bheidh.
(3) Ní dhéanfaidh aon ní i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo difir do chearta an ghearánaí i gcoinne duine, ná ní thabharfaidh sé go mbeidh an gearánaí faoi dhliteanas i leith damáistí mar gheall ar ghníomhartha duine, más duine é a mheasfar leis an bhfo-alt sin an gearánaí a bheith freagrach ina ghníomhartha.
(4) I gcásina gcinnfear go bhfuil gearánaí freagrach i ngníomhartha duine eile faoin alt seo agus go laghdófar a dhamáistí dá réir sin faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 34, ní bheidh an cosantóir i dteideal ranníoca faoi alt 21 ón duine a bhfuil an gearánaí freagrach ina ghníomhartha.
Eilimh a fhritháireamh.
1857, c. 60.
36.—(1) I gcás ina dtabharfar breithiúnas i bhfabhar an ghearánaí ar éileamh agus i bhfabhar an chosantóra ar fhrithéileamh faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 34, déanfar breithiúnas amháin acu a fhritháireamh i gcoinne an bhreithiúnais eile agus ní bheidh inghnóthaithe ach an t-iarmhéid a gheofar a bheith dlite.
(2) Beidh feidhm ag an alt seo d'ainneoin páirtí amháin a bheith ina fhéimheach nó (i gcás ionadaí pearsanta a bheith ina pháirtí i gcaingean) an t-eastát atá á riaradh aige a bheith dócmhainneach.
(3) Ní oibreoidh an t-alt seo, ná alt 251 den Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857, sa mhéid go mbaineann sé le fritháireamh fiacha breithiúnais a bheidh dlite ó fhéimheach agus dó, ach amháin maidir le fiacha a shásamh, agus, chun gach críche (agus forléiriú polasaithe árachais a áireamh) seachas an chríoch a dúradh, áireofar breithiúnas mar ní a bhunaíonn fiach, dualgas, oibleagáid agus dliteanas i leith méid iomlán an bhreithiúnais ionann is dá mba rud é nach raibh aon fhritháireamh ann, agus chun na gcríocha eile sin measfar fiach (cibé acu trí bhreithiúnas nó eile é) a bheith íoctha ag an bhféichiúnaí breithiúnais sa mhéid go mbeidh fiach á fhritháireamh ina choinne.
(4) D'ainneoin aon ní in alt 62, i gcás ina ndéanfar éilefmh i gcoinne duine a bheidh faoi árachas i leith dliteanais a líomhnaíodh san éileamh sin agus go n-íocfaidh an t-árachóir an t-éileamh ar asbhaint a dhéanamh i leith suime a bheidh dlite don duine árachaithe ón duine a rinne an t-éileamh sin, beidh an duine árachaithe nó aon duine a bheidh ag feidhmiú ar a shon nó a ghabhann teideal faoi i dteideal méid na hasbhainte sin a ghnóthú ó na hárachóirí.
Urbhac i gcás faillí rannpháirteach.
37.—(1) I gcás ina laghdófar a dhamáiste ar ghearánaí faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 34 mar gheall ar fhaillí rannpháirteach agus go dtionscnóidh an cosantóir caingean ina dhiaidh sin i gcoinne an ghearánaí i leith damáiste a tháinig de na fíorais chéanna, beidh cinneadh an dliteanais agus cionroinnt na héagóra sa chéad chaingean ina gceangal idir na páirtithe sa dara caingean.
(2) Beidh feidhm ag fo-alt (1) den alt seo idir dhá pháirtí d'ainneoin ceann amháin acu a bheith ina pháirtí sa dá chaingean i gcáileanna éagsúla.
Dliteanas éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha i gcás an gearánaí a bheith ciontach i bhfaillí rannpháirteach.
38.—(1) I gcás ina dtionscnófar caingean i gcoinne duine amháin nó níos mó de líon éagóiritheóirí comhthráthacha ag duine díobháilte a gheofar sa chaingean sin a bheith ciontach i bhfaillí rannpháirteach agus go gcinnfear é a bheith cóir cothromasach damáistí an ghearánaí a laghdú faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 34 ag féachaint dá fhaillí rannpháirteach, ní bheidh an breithiúnas i gcoinne éagóiritheora amháin ina bhreithiúnas le haghaidh iomlán na ndamáistí is inghnóthaithe ag an ngearánaí ach cinnfidh an chúirt céimsí lochta, faoi seach, an ghearánaí agus na gcosantóirí uile in éileamh an ghearánaí tráth an bhreithiúnais agus fágfaidh as an áireamh céimsí lochta daoine nach cosantóirí den sórt sin agus tabharfaidh sí don ghearánaí breithiúnas leithleach i gcoinne gach cosantóra le haghaidh cibé cuid chionroinnte dá dhamáistí iomlána a mheasfaidh an chúirt a bheith cóir cothromasach ag féachaint do chéimsí lochta an chosantóra sin arna gcinneadh mar a dúradh.
(2) Tráth ar bith laistigh den tréimhse a cheaptar le dlí chun breithiúnais a chur i bhfeidhm agus ar an ngearánaí a chruthú gur theip air, tar éis bearta réasúnacha a dhéanamh, sásamh aon bhreithiúnais a fháil go hiomlán nó go páirteach, beidh de chead ag an ngearánaí breithiúnais thánaisteacha a iarraidh a mbeidh d'éifeacht leo an t-easnamh a roinnt ar na cosantóirí eile i cibé cionúireachtaí a bheidh cóir cothromasach.
(3) Ní bheidh feidhm ag an alt seo i gcás duine amháin de na héagóiritheoirí atá ina gcosantóirí a bheith freagrach i ngníomhartha duine eile díobh; beidh éagóiritheoirí den chineál sin, faoi réir fho-alt (1) d'alt 34, faoi dhliteanas ag an ngearánaí i leith rannchoda amháin dá dhamáistí.
(4) Tar éis breithiúnas a bheith tugtha de réir fho-alt (1) den alt seo, ní bheidh an gearánaí i dteideal an dara caingean ná caingean ina dhiaidh sin a thionscnamh i gcoinne éagóiritheora chomhthráthaigh nár tugadh breithiúnas ina choinne, mura sásóidh sé an chúirt sa chaingean sin nach bhféadfaidh sé go réasúnach uamadh leis an éagóiritheoir sin mar chomhchosantóir sa chéad chaingean.
(5) Nuair a bheidh an dara caingean sin nó an caingean sin ina dhiaidh sin á tosú ag an ngearánaí beidh dualgas air i leith na n-éagóiritheoirí ar éirigh le hagairt ina gcoinne cheana, agus a mbeidh ceart ranníoca acu i gcoinne an éagóiritheora atá anois á agairt nó le hagairt, bearta réasúnacha a dhéanamh chun fógra i dtaobh an dara caingean sin nó na caingne sin ina dhiaidh sin a thabhairt dóibh ceithre lá dhéag ar a laghad sula dtionscnófar imeachtaí sa chaingean sin nó a luaithe is féidir go réasúnach tar éis tosach na tréimhse sin.
(6) Beidh de cheart ag éagóiritheoir a gheobhaidh an fógra sin bheith ina chomhghearánaí sa chaingean más rud é nach mbeifear tar éis na himeachtaí a thionscnamh agus in aon chás eile cead a iarraidh ar an gcúirt é a uamadh mar chomhghearánaí nó caingne a chomhdhlúthú; agus aon éagóiritheoir a loicfidh go míréasúnach in aon cheann de na bearta a dúradh a dhéanamh beidh sé faoi urchosc óna cheart ranníoca.
(7) Má éiríonn leis an ngearánaí sa dara caingean sin nó sa chaingean sin ina dhiaidh sin, beidh teideal aige chun na difríochta idir iomlán na ndamáistí a dámhadh dó sa bhreithiúnas nó sna breithiúnais roimhe sin agus iomlán na ndamáistí is dóigh leis an gcúirt a dhámhfaí dá mbeadh an t-éagóiritheoir sin uamtha leis an gcosantóir nó leis na cosantóirí roimhe sin mar chomhchosantóir sa chaingean nó sna caingne roimhe sin; agus beidh sé ina theannta sin i dteideal na forála a luaitear i bhfo-alt (2) den alt seo: ar choinníoll—
(a) nach dtabharfaidh aon ní san fho-alt seo teideal do ghearánaí níos mó a ghnóthú ón éagóiritheoir sin ná mar a d'fhéadfadh sé a ghnóthú dá mba nár thionscain sé an chaingean nó na caingne sin roimhe sin;
(b) nach gcoiscfidh aon ní san fho-alt seo an t-éagóiritheoir sin ó aon saincheist a dhíospóid a mbeidh teideal aige in aon slí eile chun í a dhíospóid agus, má chinntear gur lú damáistí an ghearánaí ná mar a mheas an chúirt sa chaingean nó sna caingne roimhe sin, nach mbeidh an t-éagóiritheoir sin faoi dhliteanas i leith níos mó ná a cheart-chionúireacht amhail idir é féin an gearánaí agus an cosantóir nó na cosantóirí roimhe sin de na damáistí a chinnfear amhlaidh;
(c) go bhféadfaidh an t-éagóiritheoir sin dá rogha féin lea a bhaint as aon ábhar a cinneadh i gcoinne an ghearána sa chaingean nó sna caingne sin roimhe sin ionann agus dá mba res judicata eatarthu an t-ábhar sin.
(8) I gcás ina ndámhfar dámáistí i gcoinne éagóiritheora de réir fhorálacha an ailt seo, féadfaidh an t-éagóiritheoir sin ranníoc a ghnóthú ó aon éagóiritheoir eile nár agraíodh san am céanna i gcás an gnóthú sin a bheith cóir cothromasach faoi réir fhorálacha Chaibidil II den Chuid seo.
(9) Ar é a bheith ag tosú na caingne sin mar gheall ar ranníoc beidh de dhualgas ar éagóiritheoir i leith an duine dhíobháilte a bhfuil ceart caingne aige i gcoinne an ranníocóra, agus i leith na n-éagóiritheoirí eile ar éirigh cheana féin leis an duine díobháilte ina agra ina gcoinne agus a bhfuil ceart ranníoca acu i gcoinne an ranníocóra, bearta réasúnacha a dhéanamh chun fógra a thabhairt dóibh i dtaobh na caingne sin mar gheall ar ranníoc ceithre lá dhéag ar a laghad sula dtionscnófar imeachtaí sa chaingean sin nó a luaithe is féidir go réasúnach tar éis tosach na tréimhse sin.
(10) Beidh na cearta a shonraítear i bhfo-alt (6) den alt seo ag an duine díobháilte nó ag éagóiritheoir a gheobhaidh fógra den sórt sin agus má fhaillíonn sé go míréasúnach leas a bhaint as a chearta beidh sé urchoiscthe óna cheart caingne mar gheall ar dhamáistí nó mar gheall ar ranníoca de réir mar a bheidh.
(11) I gcás ina dtionscnóidh an duine díobháilte an dara caingean nó caingean ina dhiaidh sin de réir fhorálacha an ailt seo, agus i gcás ina dtionscnóidh éagóiritheoir caingean ag iarraidh ranníoca mar a fhoráiltear i bhfo-alt (8) den alt seo, beidh na páirtithe sa chaingean faoi cheangal ag an gcionroinnt lochta a rinneadh sa chaingean nó sna caingne roimhe sin: ach ní bheidh an cosantóir faoi cheangal ag an gcionroinnt sin i gcás socrú a bheith le déanamh chun aon easnamh a roinnt más é is cúis leis an easnamh sin nach bhfuarthas sásamh aon bhreithiúnais go hiomlán nó go páirteach ó dhuine de na héagóiritheoirí a agraíodh cheana.
(12) I gcás—
(a) ina n-agróidh an gearánaí éagóiritheoir amháin agus mar gheall ar é d'fháil breithiúnais mhainneachtana nó mar gheall ar an gcúirt d'obadh d'fhaillí rannpháirteach, go ngnóthóidh an gearánaí breithiúnas le haghaidh iomlán a dhamáistí i gcoinne an éagóiritheora sin, agus
(b) go n-agróidh an gearánaí ina dhiaidh sin éagóiritheoir eile a chinnfear a bheith ina éagóiritheoir comhthráthach i dteannta an chéad éagóiritheora, agus go gcinnfear go raibh an gearánaí freisin ciontach i bhfaillí rannpháirteach maidir leis an mbeirt éagóiritheoirí,
beidh an dara cosantóir a agrófar i dteideal creidiúnais i leith cionúireachta den tsuim a fuarthas ón gcéad chosantóir a agraíodh is ionann agus an chionúireacht den damáiste a breithníodh a bheith le híoc ag an ngearánaí amhail idir é féin agus an dara cosantóir a agrófar agus i gcás ró-íocaíochta beidh sé i dteideal aisíocaíochta.
Féimheacht éagóiritheora amháin.
39.—I gcás ina léireofar don Chúirt—
(a) gur féimheach éagóiritheoir amháin a mbeidh breithiúnas tugtha ina fhabhar nó gur dóigh go dtiocfaidh dó bheith ina fhéimheach, nó
(b) gurb eastát dócmhainneach, nó go bhféadfadh sé gurb ea, eastát éagóiritheora amháin a mbeidh breithiúnas tugtha chun tairbhe dó,
déanfar socrú chun a áirithiú nach bhféadfaidh an t-éagóiritheoir céadluaite sin nó an t-eastát sin, de réir mar a bheidh, gnóthú sa mhéid go mbeidh an t-éagóiritheoir nó an t-eastát faoi dhliteanas ag páirtí eile nó go comhiomlán ag páirtithe eile mar gheall ar an tionóisc, an teagmhas nó an idirbheart céanna; agus chuige sin déanfar, nuair is gá sin, breithiúnas i bhfabhar an éagóiritheora nó chun tairbhe don eastát a astú go hiomlán nó go páirteach chun tairbhe do pháirtí eile a mbeidh breithiúnas tugtha ina fhabhar.
Cinntí speisialta.
40.—(1) I gcás ina ndámhfar damáistí do dhuine ar bith de bhua fho-alt (1) d'alt 34, déanfaidh an giúiré nó mura mbeidh aon ghiúiré ann déanfaidh an breitheamh nó an t-eadránaí na nithe seo a leanas a chinneadh agus a thaifeadadh—
(a) iomlán na ndamáistí a dhámhfaí dá mba nach raibh faillí rannpháirteach ann;
(b) i gcás ina laghdófar damáistí an ghearánaí faoin bhfo-alt sin, an chionúireacht de na damáistí sin nach ndámhfar don ghearánaí agus an chionúireacht is iníoctha ag an gcosantóir, nó na cionúireachtaí faoi seach is iníoctha ag gach duine de na cosantóirí má bhíonn níos mó ná cosantóir amháin ann arna lua i ngach cás mar chéatadán de locht iomlán an ghearánaí agus an chosantóra nó na gcosantóirí;
(c) cé hé gach duine ar rannchuidigh a fhaillí, a easpa cúraim nó aireachais, nó a éagóir le damáiste agus cé dó a tharla an damáiste agus cad é an damáiste é, agus cad iad na dóigheanna inar tharla sé.
(2) Beidh de dhualgas ar an mbreitheamh nó ar an eadránaí na ríomhaireachtaí is gá a dhéanamh tar éis na nithe sin a chinneadh.
Cúirteanna dlínse teoranta.
41.—I gcás ina dtionscnófar caingean i gcúirt dlínse teoranta, féadfaidh an chúirt damáistí a dhámhadh suas go teorainn a dlínse, fiú má laghdaíodh na damáistí sin roimh ré faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 34 mar gheall ar fhaillí rannpháirteach an ghearánaí.
Costais i gcásanna faillí rannpháirteach.
42.—Mar phrionsabal ginearálta, ach gan sin a bheith ag cur teorann leis an mbreitheamh agus é ag déanamh a rogha nuair a dhámhfar damáistí ar éileamh agus ar fhrithéileamh atá i ngach cás faoi réir laghdú mar gheall ar fhaillí rannpháirteach faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 34, dámhfar costais sna cionúireachtaí céanna le damáistí.
Caibidil IV
Ginearálta
Feidhm i gcás sárú ar dhualgas beacht.
43.—Nuair a bheidh méid an ranníoca nó an laghdaithe ar dhamáistí faoi fho-alt (1) d'alt 34 mar gheall ar fhaillí rannpháirteach á chinneadh ag an gcúirt, féadfaidh an chúirt a chur san áireamh nach raibh i bhfaillí nó in éagóir duine amháin ach sárú ar dhualgas beacht faoin dlí reachtúil nó faoin dlí coiteann gan locht, agus féadfaidh sí dá réir sin a chinneadh nach bhfuil sé cóir cothromasach aon chuid den damáiste a chur ar an duine sin.
Tréimhsí cinnteachta aontaobhacha.
44.—Más rud é, in aon éileamh ar ranníoc idir éagóiritheoirí, nó in aon chás lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) d'alt 34, go seachnóidh an cosantóir dliteanas i leith an ghearánaí trí Reacht na dTréimhsí nó aon achtachán cinnteachta eile a phléadáil, ní bheidh an cosantóir ná aon duine eile a bheidh freagrach ina ghníomhartha i dteideal aon damáistí ná ranníoc a ghnóthú ón ngearánaí.
Cúiteamh.
45.—(1) Má tharlaíonn, i gcásanna a thagann faoi réim alt 16 nó 17 nó faoi réim fho-alt (1) d'alt 35, nach ndéanfaidh an gearánaí, toisc é a bheith ainbhiosach ar na fíorais, tairbhe na bhforálacha iontu sin a éileamh, beidh de cheart ag an gcosantóir, d'ainneoin breithiúnas a bheith tugtha i bhfabhar an ghearánaí, go n-aisíocfaidh an gearánaí leis cibé suim nár chóir a bheith gnóthaithe ag an ngearánaí de bhua na bhforálacha sin.
(2) Má tharlaíonn, toisc gan sásamh aon bhreithiúnais a fháil go hiomlán nó go páirteach ó aon éagóiritheoir áirithe, go gcaithfidh éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha eile cion de dhamáiste an ghearánaí a íoc is mó ná mar a chaithfeadh mura mbeadh sin, nó go gcaithfidh siad suim a íoc mar ranníoc is mó ná mar a chaithfeadh mura mbeadh sin, beidh ceart acu i gcoinne an éagóiritheora sin chun a gcúitithe i méid na difríochta.
Cásanna muirí.
46.—(1) (a) Má tharlaíonn, trí locht dhá árthach nó níos mó, go ndéanfar damáiste do cheann amháin nó níos mó de na hárthaí sin nó d'árthach eile nó do lasta aon árthaigh acu sin nó d'aon mhaoin ar bord, agus go dtionscnófar caingean mar gheall ar an damáiste sin, beidh dliteanas gach árthaigh acu i leith an damáiste sin i gcomhréir leis an gcéimse lochta a bhí ar an árthach áirithe agus dá réir sin ní bheidh aon cheart ranníoca ann maidir leis an dliteanas cionroinnte sin: ar choinníoll—
(i) más rud é, ag féachaint d'imthosca uile an cháis, nach féidir céimsí éagsúla lochta a shuíomh, go gcionroinnfear an dliteanas go cothrom ar na hárthaí ar a raibh locht;
(ii) nach ndéanfaidh aon ní san fho-alt seo difir do dhliteanas aon duine faoi chonradh iompair nó faoi chonradh ar bith, ná nach bhforléireofar é mar ní a chuir duine ar bith faoi aon dliteanas óna mbeidh sé díolmhaithe le haon chonradh nó le haon fhoráil dlí, ná mar ní a dhéanann difir do cheart aon duine chun a dhliteanas a theorannú sa tslí a fhoráiltear le dlí.
(b) Chun críocha mhír (a) den fho-alt seo ciallóidh dliteanas árthaigh i leith damáiste dliteanas na ndaoine a bheidh freagrach san árthach a loingsiú agus a bhainistí i gceart.
(c) Ní bheidh feidhm ag mír (a) den fho-alt seo maidir le héileamh i leith ciorrú saoil ná i leith díobhálacha pearsanta.
(2) Má tharlaíonn, mar gheall ar locht aonarach nó comhthráthach árthaigh, go ndéanfar damáiste don árthach sin nó d'árthach eile nó don lasta nó d'aon mhaoin a bheidh ar bord ceachtar árthaigh, nó go gciorrófar saol aon duine nó go ndéanfar díobháil phearsanta d'aon duine ar bord ceachtar árthaigh, ansin, faoi réir fho-alt (3) den alt seo, ní bheidh aon chaingean inchothaithe chun éileamh ar dhamáistí nó lian i leith an damáiste, an chiorrú saoil nó na díobhála sin a chur i bhfeidhm, mura dtionscnófar imeachtaí laistigh de dhá bhliain ón dáta a rinneadh an damáiste, an ciorrú saoil nó an díobháil sin; agus ní hinchothaithe caingean á iarraidh go gcuirfear i bhfeidhm aon éileamh ar ranníoc i leith cionúireachta ró-íoctha d'aon damáistí mar gheall ar chiorrú saoil nó díobhálacha pearsanta mura dtionscnófar imeachtaí laistigh de bhliain ó dháta na híocaíochta.
(3) Aon chúirt ag a mbeidh dlínse chun déileáil le caingean lena mbaineann fo-alt (2) den alt seo, féadfaidh sí, faoi réir aon rialacha cúirte, fadú a dhéanamh ar an tréimhse dá dtagraítear san fho-alt sin sa mhéid, agus faoi réir cibé coinníollacha, is cuí léi, agus déanfaidh sí, má chruthaítear chun a sástachta nach raibh aon chaoi réasúnach ann i rith na tréimhse sin chun an t-árthach atá ina cosantóir a ghabháil laistigh de dhlínse na cúirte nó in uiscí teorann na tíre lena mbaineann árthach an ghearánaí nó ina bhfuil cónaí ar an ngearánaí nó a phríomh-áit ghnó aige, fadú a dhéanamh ar aon tréimhse den sórt sin an méid is leor chun an chaoi réasúnach sin a thabhairt.
(4) Chun críocha fho-ailt (1) agus (2) den alt seo, déanfar tagairtí do dhamáiste a tharla trí locht árthaigh a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí a fholaíonn tagairtí d'aon chostais tarrthála nó eile, de dhroim an lochta sin, is inghnóthaithe de réir dlí mar dhamáistí agus measfar gurb ionann na costais sin agus damáiste a tharla nuair a chuathas fúthu.
(5) Cuirfear forálacha an ailt seo chun feidhme sna cásanna go léir a éistfear agus a chinnfear in aon chúirt ag a mbeidh dlínse chun an cás a thriail agus cibé uiscí inar tharla an damáiste a bheidh i gceist nó inar tugadh na seirbhísí tarrthála a bheidh i gceist nó ina ndeachthas faoi na caiteachais eile a bheidh i gceist.
(6) Forléireofar an t-alt seo agus na hAchtanna Loingis Cheannaíochta, 1894 go 1952, mar aon ní amháin.
CUID IV
Díobhalacha Marfacha
Mínithe (Cuid IV).
47.—(1) Sa Chuid seo—
ciallaíonn “cleithiúnaí”, maidir le duine ar gníomh éagórach is cúis lena bhás, aon duine de theaghlach an éagaigh a fhulaingeoidh díobháil nó anbhuain meabhrach;
ciallaíonn “duine den teaghlach” banchéile, fearehéile, athair, máthair, seanathair, seanmháthair, leasathair, leasmháthair, mac, iníon, ua, banua, leasmhac, leasiníon, deartháir, deirfiúr, deartháir leasghaolmhar, deirfúir leasghaolmhar;
folaíonn “gníomh éagórach” coir.
(2) Nuair a bheidh aon ghaol á ríomh chun críocha na Coda seo—
(a) measfar gur sliocht dlisteanach ar an uchtóir nó ar na huchtóirí duine a uchtaíodh faoin Acht Uchtála, 1952;
(b) faoi réir mhír (a) den fho-alt seo, measfar gur sliocht dlisteanach ar a mháthair agus ar a athair toimhdean duine mídhlisteanach;
(c) measfar gur tuismitheoir duine eile duine atá in loco parentis don duine eile sin.
Caingean i gcás bás a tharla trí ghníomh éagórach, faillí nó mainneachtain.
48.—(1) Más é is cúis le bás duine gníomh éagórach ag duine eile de shaghas a thabharfadh teideal don pháirtí a díobháladh, mura mbeadh a bhás, caingean a chothú agus damáistí a ghnóthú ina leith, beidh an duine a bheadh faoi dhliteanas amhlaidh faoi dhliteanas i leith caingne mar gheall ar dhamáistí chun tairbhe do chleithiúnaithe an éagaigh.
(2) Ní fhéadfar ach aon chaingean amháin mar gheall ar dhamáistí a thionscnamh i gcoinne an duine chéanna i leith an bháis.
(3) Féadfaidh ionadaí pearsanta an éagaigh an chaingean a chionscnamh nó, más rud é, ar bheith caite do shé mhí tar éis an bháis, nach mbeidh aon ionadaí pearsanta ann nó nach mbeidh aon chaingean tionscanta ag an ionadaí pearsanta, féadfaidh gach duine nó aon duine de na cleithiúnaithe an chaingean a thionscnamh.
(4) Cibé duine a thionscnóidh an chaingean, is caingean chun tairbhe do na cleithiúnaithe go léir a bheidh inti.
(5) Tabharfaidh an gearánaí don chosantóir sonraí ar an duine ar dó agus thar a cheann nó ar na daoine ar dóibh agus thar a gceann a bheidh an chaingean á tionscnamh agus ar an gcineál éilimh a bhfuiltear ag iarraidh damáistí a ghnóthú ina leith.
(6) Tionscnófar an chaingean laistigh de thrí bliana tar éis an bháis.
Damáistí.
49.—(1) (a) Is é a bheidh sna damáistí faoi alt 48—
(i) iomlán na suimeanna (más aon suim é) a mheasfaidh an giúire nó an breitheamh, de réir mar a bheidh, a bheith i gcoibhneas leis an díobháil a bhain de dheasca an bháis do gach duine, faoi seach, de na cleithiúnaithe ar dó nó thar a cheann a tionscnaíodh an chaingean, agus
(ii) faoi réir mhír (b) den fho-alt seo, iomlán na suimeanna (más aon suim é) a mheasfaidh an breitheamh a bheidh ina gcúiteamh réasúnach in anbhuain meabhrach a bhain de dheasca an bháis do gach duine faoi leith de na cleithiúnaithe sin.
(b) Ní rachaidh iomlán aon suimeanna a dhámhfar de bhua fhomhír (ii) de mhír (a) den fho-alt seo thar míle punt.
(c) Luafar ar leithligh sa dámhachtain gach aon suim a dhámhfar de bhua mhír (a) den fho-alt seo.
(d) Ní bheidh éifeacht ag fomhír (ii) de mhír (a) den fho-alt seo ach amháin maidir le bás a tharlóidh laistigh de thrí bliana tar éis dáta an Achta seo a rith.
(2) Ina theannta sin, féadfar damáistí a dhámhadh i leith costais adhlactha agus costais eile a ndeachaigh an t-éagach, na cleithiúnaithe nó an t-ionadaí pearsanta fúthu iarbhír mar gheall ar an ngníomh éagórach.
(3) Is leor do chosantóir, agus é ag íoc airgid isteach sa chúirt sa chaingean, é a íoc in aon suim amháin mar dhamáistí le haghaidh na gcleithiúnaithe uile gan é a chionroinnt eatarthu.
(4) Déanfar an méid a ghnóthófar sa chaingean a roinnt, tar éis na costais nár gnóthaíodh ón gcosantóir a bhaint as, ar na daoine a bheidh ina theideal i cibé scaireanna a bheifear tar éis a chinneadh.
Suimeanna nach mbeidh le háireamh nuair a bheifear ag measúnú damáistí.
50.—Nuair a bheifear ag measúnú damáistí faoin gCuid seo ní chuirfear san áireamh—
(a) aon suim is iníoctha ar bhás an éagaigh faoi aon chonradh árachais,
(b) aon phinsean, aisce nó sochar eile dá leithéid is iníoctha faoi reacht nó ar shlí eile mar gheall ar bhás an éagaigh.
Tagairtí do na Fatal Accidents Acts, 1846 to 1908, a oiriúnú.
51.—Déanfar tagairt in aon achtachán do na Fatal Accidents Acts, 1846 to 1908, nó d'aon Acht díobh sin a fhorléiriú mar thagairt don Chuid seo.
CUID V
Leasuithe ar na hAchtanna um chúiteamh do lucht oibre, 1934 go 1955
Mínithe (Cuid V). 1934, Uimh. 9. 1953, Uimh. 25.
52.—Sa Chuid seo—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1934” an tAcht um Chúiteamh do Lucht Oibre, 1934;
ciallaíonn “Acht 1953” an tAcht um Chúiteamh do Lucht Oibre (Leasú), 1953;
tá le “fostóir” agus “oibrí” an bhrí chéanna atá leo sna hAchtanna um Chúiteamh do Lucht Oibre, 1934 go 1955.
Leasuithe ar alt 60 d'Acht 1934.
53.—(1) San alt seo ciallaíonn “alt 60” alt 60 d'Acht 1934.
(2) Déantar leis seo alt 60 a leasú tríd an bhfo-alt nua seo a leanas a chur isteach ann i ndiaidh fho-alt (3)—
“(3A) Más rud é—
(a) laistigh den aimsir a cheaptar leis an Acht seo chun imeachtaí a thionscnamh faoin Acht seo, go dtionscnófar caingean chun damáistí a ghnóthú gan spleáchas leis an Acht seo i leith díobhála nó galair nó báis as a dtiocfaidh éileamh ar chúiteamh faoin Acht seo, agus
(b) go gcinnfear sa chaingean—
(i) go mbeidh damáistí inghnóthaithe gan spleáchas leis an Acht seo faoi réir laghdú mar a luaitear i bhfo-alt (1) d'alt 34 den Acht um Dhliteanas Sibhialta, 1961, agus
(ii) go mbeadh an fostóir faoi dhliteanas cúiteamh a íoc faoin Acht seo,
féadfaidh an gearánaí iarratas a dhéanamh chun na cúirte ina mbeidh an chaingean á triail nó, más cinneadh (ar achomharc ó cheachtar páirtí) ag binse achomhairc a bheidh ann, chun an bhinse achomhairc sin á iarraidh go ndéanfaí an cúiteamh sin a mheasúnú agus a dhámhadh, agus má dhéanann an gearánaí amhlaidh beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha seo a leanas—
(I) rachaidh an chúirt nó an binse achomhairc sin (de réir mar a bheidh) i mbun an cúiteamh sin a mheasúnú, ach féadfaidh an chúirt nó an binse sin an t-iomlán nó aon chuid de na costais a tháinig, de réir bhreithiúnas na cúirte nó an bhinse sin, as an gcaingean a bheith tionscanta ag an ngearánaí in ionad imeachtaí faoin Acht seo a bhaint den chúiteamh sin,
(II) ní ghnóthófar aon damáistí sa chaingean.”
(3) I bhfo-alt (4) d'alt 60, cuirfear “faoi fho-alt (3) nó faoi fho-alt (3A) den alt seo” in ionad “fén bhfo-alt san roimhe seo”.
(4) I bhfo-alt (5) d'alt 60, cuirfear “nó faoi fho-alt (3A)” isteach i ndiaidh “fé fho-alt (3)”.
(5) Leasaítear leis seo alt 60 tríd an bhfo-alt nua seo a leanas a chur isteach ann i ndiaidh fho-alt (5)—
“(5A) Beidh feidhm ag fo-alt (3A) den alt seo maille leis na hoiriúnuithe is gá in aon chás ina mbeidh cúiteamh inghnóthaithe faoi scéim arna deimhniú nó arna déanamh faoin Acht seo, má chuireann an scéim an t-alt seo chun feidhme nó má bhíonn aon fhoráil inti a bheidh cosúil leis an alt seo.”
(6) I bhfo-alt (6) d'alt 60 (is é sin, an fo-alt a cuireadh leis an alt sin le halt 6 d'Acht 1953) forléireofar an tagairt do dhamáistí mar thagairt a fholaíonn tagairt do dhamáistí faoi réir laghdaithe a luaitear i bhfo-alt (1) d'alt 34.
(7) Ní bheidh feidhm ag na leasuithe a dhéantar leis na fo-ailt roimhe seo den alt seo in aon chás inar tharla an tionóisc ba chúis leis an éileamh roimh dháta an Achta seo a rith.
Leasú ar alt 61 d'Acht 1934.
54.—(1) I gcás ina mbeidh oibrí nó a ionadaí pearsanta nó a chleithiúnaí nó duine eile tar éis cúiteamh a ghnóthú faoi na hAchtanna um Chúiteamh do Lucht Oibre, 1934 go 1955, nó faoi aon scéim arna deimhniú faoi Acht 1934 i leith díobhála a rinneadh in imthosca a thabharfadh ceart chun damáistí laghdaithe a ghnóthú i leith an chéanna de bhua fho-alt (1) d'alt 34 ó dhuine éigin seachas an fostóir (dá ngairtear an tríú páirtí san fho-alt seo), ní bheidh sa cheart a thugtar le halt 61 d'Acht 1934, don duine lenar íocadh an cúiteamh nó d'aon duine ar iarradh air slánaíocht a íoc faoi alt 19 d'Acht 1934, chun slánaíocht a fháil ón tríú páirtí ach ceart chun slánaíocht a fháil i leith na coda sin amháin den suim a d'íoc an duine sin nó is iníoctha aige amhlaidh a mbeidh idir í agus iomlán na suime a íocadh nó is iníoctha amhlaidh an coibhneas céanna a bheidh idir na damáistí laghdaithe sin agus iomlán na ndamáistí ab inghnóthaithe dá mba nach raibh an t-oibrí faillíoch.
(2) I bhfomhír (ii) de mhír (aa) d'alt 61 d'Acht 1934 (is é sin, an mhír a cuireadh leis an alt sin le halt 7 d'Acht 1953), forléireofar an tagairt do dhamáistí mar thagairt a fholaíonn tagairt do dhamáistí faoi réir laghdaithe a luaitear i bhfo-alt (1) d'alt 34.
(3) Ní bheidh feidhm ag na leasuithe a dhéantar leis na fo-ailt roimhe seo den alt seo in aon chás inar tharla an tionóisc roimh dháta an Achta seo a rith.
CUID VI
Leasú ar an Acht um Aer-Loingseoireacht Agus Aer-Iompar, 1936
Alt 18 d'Acht 1936 a athachtú maille le leasuithe.
55.—Cuirfear an t-alt seo a leanas in ionad alt 18 d'Acht 1936—
“Dliteannas iompróra i gcás paisinéir d'fháil bháis. | 18.—(1) (a) San alt seo— ciallaíonn ‘cleithiúnaí’, maidir le paisinéir a ndéantar dliteanas i leith a bháis a chur ar iompróir le hAirteagal 17 den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo, aon duine de theaghlach an éagaigh a fhulaingeoidh díobháil nó anbhuain meabhrach; ciallaíonn ‘duine de theaghlach’ banchéile, fearchéile, athair, máthair, seanathair, seanmháthair, leasathair, leasmháthair, mac, iníon, ua, banua, leasmhac, leasiníon, deartháir, deirfiúr, deartháir leas-ghaolmhar, deirfiúr leas-ghaolmhar. (b) Nuair a bheidh aon ghaol á ríomh chun críocha an ailt seo— (i) measfar gur sliocht dlisteanach ar an uchtóir nó ar na huchtóirí duine a uchtaíodh faoin Acht Uchtála, 1952; (ii) faoi réir fhomhír (i) den mhír seo, measfar gur sliocht dlisteanach ar a mháthair agus ar a athair toimhdean duine mídhlisteanach; (iii) measfar gur tuismitheoir duine eile duine atá in loco parentis don duine eile sin. |
(2) Aon dliteanas chun damáistí a íoc a fhorchuirtear le hAirteagal 17 den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo ar iompróir i leith báis paisinéara is dliteanas é in ionad aon dliteanais de chuid an iompróra i leith bais an phaisinéara sin faoi aon reacht (lena n-áirítear Cuid IV den Acht um Dhliteanas Sibhialta, 1961) nó faoin dlí coiteann, agus beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha seo a leanas maidir leis an gcaingean chun an dliteanas a fhorchuirtear amhlaidh a chur i bhfeidhm— (a) beidh an dliteanas inchurtha i bhfeidhm chun tairbhe do chleithiúnaithe an phaisinéara; (b) ní fhéadfar ach aon chaingean amháin mar gheall ar dhamáistí a thionscnamh sa Stát i gcoinne an duine chéanna i leith an bháis; (c) féadfaidh ionadaí pearsanta an phaisinéara an chaingean a thionscnamh nó, más rud é, ar bheith caite do shé mhí tar éis an bháis, nach mbeidh aon ionadaí ann nó nach mbeidh aon chaingean tionscanta ag an ionadaí pearsanta, féadfaidh gach duine nó aon duine de na cleithiúnaithe an chaingean a thionscnamh; (d) cibé duine a thionscnóidh an chaingean, is é a bheidh inti caingean chun tairbhe do na cleithiúnaithe go léir a bhfuil cónaí orthu sa Stát nó, mura bhfuil cónaí orthu sa Stát, a chuirfidh in iúl go dteastaíonn uathu tairbhe na caingne a fháil; (e) tabharfaidh an gearánaí don chosantóir sonraí ar na daoine ar dóibh agus thar a gceann a bheidh an chaingean á tionscnamh; (f) faoi réir mhír (n) den fho-alt seo— (i) is é a bheidh sna damáistí iomlán na suimeanna (más aon suim é) a mheasfaidh an giúiré nó an breitheamh, de réir mar a bheidh, a bheith i gcoibhneas leis an díobháil a bhain de dheasca an bháis do gach duine de na cleithiúnaithe, faoi seach, ar dó nó thar a cheann a tionscnaíodh an chaingean, agus (ii) faoi réir mhír (g) den fho-alt seo, iomlán na suimeanna (más aon suim é) a mheasfaidh an breitheamh a bheith ina gcúiteamh réasúnach in anbhuain meabhrach a bhain de dheasca an bháis do gach duine de na cleithiúnaithe sin; (g) ní rachaidh iomlán aon suimeanna a dhámhfar de bhua fhomhír (ii) de mhír (f) den fho-alt seo thar míle punt; (h) luafar ar leithligh sa dámhachtain gach aon suim a dhámhfar de bhua mhír (f) den fho-alt seo; (i) ní bheidh éifeacht ag fomhír (ii) de mhír (f) den fho-alt seo ach amháin maidir le bás a tharlóidh laistigh de thrí bliana tar éis dáta an Achta um Dhliteanas Sibhialta, 1961, a rith; (j) ina theannta sin, féadfar damáistí a dhámhadh i leith costais adhlactha agus costais eile a ndeachaigh an paisinéir, na cleithiúnaithe nó an t-ionadaí pearsanta fúthu iarbhír mar gheall ar an tionóisc ba chúis le bás an phaisinéara; (k) is leor don chosantóir, agus é ag íoc airgid isteach sa chúirt sa chaingean, é a íoc in aon suim amháin mar dhamáistí le haghaidh na gcleithiúnaithe uile gan é a chionroinnt eatarthu; (l) déanfar an méid a ghnóthófar sa chaingean a roinnt, tar éis na costais nár gnóthaíodh ón gcosantóir a bhaint de, ar na daoine a bheidh ina theideal i cibé scaireanna a bheidh an giúiré nó an breitheamh, de réir mar a bheidh, tar éis a chinneadh; (m) nuair a bheifear ag measúnú na ndamáistí ní chuirfear san áireamh aon suim is iníoctha ar bhás an phaisinéara faoi aon chonradh árachais ná aon phinsean, aisce nó sochar eile dá leithéid is iníoctha faoi reacht nó ar shlí eile mar gheall ar bhás an éagaigh; (n) féadfaidh an chúirt a dtabharfar an chaingean os a comhair, ag céim ar bith de na himeachtaí, cibé ordú a dhéanamh a fheicfear don chúirt a bheith cóir cothromasach ag féachaint do na forálacha den Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo a chuireann teorainn le dliteanas an iompróra agus ag féachaint d'aon imeachtaí a tionscnaíodh, nó is dóigh a thionscnófar, lasmuigh den Stát mar gheall ar bhás paisinéara.” | |
CUID VII
Ilghnéitheach
An riail faoin gcaoi dheireanach a chur ar neamhní.
56.—Chun críocha fho-alt (1) d'alt 34 agus fho-alt (1) d'alt 46, más rud é i gcás duine ar bith—
(a) go raibh caoi aige iarmairtí gnímh aon duine eile a sheachaint ach, le faillí nó míchúram, nach ndearna sé é sin, nó
(b) go bhféadfadh sé na hiarmairtí sin a sheachaint trí chúram a ghlacadh, nó
(c) go bhféadfadh sé na hiarmairtí sin a sheachaint mura mbeadh faillí agus easpa cúraim dá chuid roimh ré,
ní bheidh sin, ann féin, ina fhoras lena chinneadh nach é gníomh an duine eile sin ba chúis leis an damáiste.
Deireadh le cosaintí.
57.—(1) Ní cosaint é i gcaingean toirt a shuíomh go bhfuil sárú ar an dlí sibhialta nó ar an dlí coiriúil déanta ag an ngearánaí agus é sin amháin a shuíomh.
(2) Ní cosaint i gcaingean mar gheall ar shárú dualgais reachtúil a shuíomh go ndearna an cosantóir comhlíonadh an dualgais a tharmligean chun an ghearánaí agus é sin amháin a shuíomh.
Eagóracha ar leanbh neamhshaolaithe.
58.—D'fhonn amhras a sheachaint dearbhaítear leis seo go mbeidh feidhm ag an dlí a bhaineann le héagóracha i gcás linbh neamhshaolaithe chun an leanbh sin a chosaint ionann is dá mbeadh an leanbh saolaithe, ar choinníoll go saolófar an leanbh ina bheatha ina dhiaidh sin.
Dliteanas an Aire Airgeadais mar gheall ar fheithicil inneallghluaiste a úsáid go faillíoch.
59.—(1) I gcás éagóir a dhéanamh trí úsáid feithicle inneallghluaiste leis an Stát, beidh an tAire Airgeadais faoi dhliteanas i leith caingne mar gheall ar dhamáistí de dheasca damáiste a tháinig den éagóir ionann is dá mba é an tAire Airgeadais úinéir na feithicle agus, chun críocha an dliteanais sin, measfar an duine a d'úsáid an fheithicil a bheith ina sheirbhíseach ag an Aire Airgeadais sa mhéid go raibh an duine sin ag gníomhú i gcúrsa a dhualgais nó a fhostaíochta.
(2) Féadfar imeachtaí a thionscnamh i gcoinne an Aire Airgeadais de bhua an ailt seo gan fiat an Ard-Aighne a fháil.
(3) Ní oibreoidh aon ní n alt seo chun aon duine a shaoradh ó dhliteanas i leith damáis a thiocfaidh dá éagóir féin.
(4) Chun críocha an ailt seo, measfar maidir le feithicil inneallghluaiste nach leis an Stát, gur feithicil inneallghluaiste leis an Stát í—
(a) le linn a húsáidte agus í faoi urghabháil ag duine i seirbhís an Stáit i gcúrsa a dhualgais nó a fhostaíochta, nó
(b) le linn a húsáidte ag comhalta den Gharda Síochána nó ag oifigeach d'aon Aire chun an fheithicil a thástáil, a aistriú nó a lonnú de bhun an Achta um Thrácht ar Bhóithre, 1961, nó aon rialacháin faoin Acht sin.
(5) San alt seo—
ciallaíonn “feithicil inneallghluaiste” feithicil atá beartaithe nó oiriúnaithe chun a gluaiste le córacha meicniúla, lena n-áirítear—
(a) rothar nó trírothach, le gabhálas chun é a ghluaiseacht le cumhacht mheicniúil, cibé acu a dhéantar nó nach ndéantar an gabhálas a úsáid,
(b) feithicil a ghluaistear le córacha leictreacha nó le córacha idir leictreach agus mheicniúil;
folaíonn “úsáid” coinneáil ina seasamh nó fágáil ina seasamh.
Dliteanas ar údarás bóithre toisc gan bóthar poiblí a chothabháil.
60.—(1) Beidh údarás bóithre faoi dhliteanas mar gheall ar dhamáiste a tharlóidh toisc nach ndearna siad bóthar poiblí a chothabháil go leordhóthanach.
(2) In imeachtaí faoin alt seo, is cosaint don údarás bóithre a chruthú—
(a) gur thug siad leor-rabhadh go raibh an bóthar ina chontúirt do thrácht, nó
(b) gur ghlac siad cúram réasúnach chun a áirithiú nach mbeadh an bóthar ina chontúirt do thrácht, nó
(c) nach raibh caoi réasúnach acu an rabhadh sin a thabhairt nó an cúram sin a ghlacadh, nó
(d) gur de dheasca éagóra a rinne aon duine eile seachas an t-údarás bóithre a tharla an damáiste.
(3) Nuair a bheifear á chinneadh an raibh bóthar á chothabháil go leordhóthanach, tabharfar aird shonrach ar na nithe seo a leanas—
(a) déanamh an bhóthair agus an caighdeán cothabhála ab iomchuí do bhóthar den déanamh sin,
(b) an trácht a bhíonn ar an mbóthar,
(c) an riocht a mbeadh súil ag duine réasúnach a bheith ar an mbóthar sin.
(4) Nuair a bheifear á chinneadh an raibh caoi réasúnach ag údarás bóithre rabhadh a thabhairt go raibh an bóthar ina chontúirt do thrácht nó ar ghlac siad cúram réasúnach chun a áirithiú nach raibh bóthar ina chontúirt do thrácht, tabharfar aird ar an gcaighdeán maoirseachta ba réasúnach do bhóthar dá leithéid.
(5) San alt seo—
ciallaíonn “údarás bóithre” comhairle contae, bardas contaebhuirge nó buirge eile agus comhairle cheantair uirbigh;
ciallaíonn “bóthar poiblí” bóthar ar údarás bóithre atá freagrach ina chothabháil agus folaíonn sé aon droichead, píopa, áirse, lintéar, cosán, pábháil, fál, ráille nó balla is cuid den bhóthar sin agus arb é an t-údarás bóithre atá freagrach ina chothabháil.
(6) Ní bhainfidh an t-alt seo le damáiste de dheasca teagmhas a tharla roimh dháta an ailt seo a theacht i ngníomh.
(7) Tiocfaidh an t-alt seo i ngníomh cibé lá, nach luaithe ná an 1ú lá d'Aibreán, 1967, a shocrófar chuige sin le hordú ón Rialtas.
Eilimh ar dhamáistí nó ar ranníoc i bhféimheacht a chruthú.
61.—(1) D'ainneoin aon achtachán eile nó aon riail dlí, beidh éileamh ar dhamáistí nó ar ranníoc mar gheall ar éagóir inchruthaithe i bhféimheacht más rud é gur roimh thráth na féimheachta a rinneadh an éagóir as ar tháinig an dliteanas i leith damáistí nó an ceart chun ranníoca.
(2) I gcás nach ndearnadh agus nach bhféadfar na damáistí nó an ranníoc a leachtú nó a chinntiú ar aon bhealach eile, féadfaidh an chúirt cibé ordú is cuí léi a dhéanamh chun na damáistí nó an ranníoc a mheasúnú, agus beidh an tsuim arna measúnú amhlaidh inchruthaithe ionann is dá mba fhiach í a bhí dlite tráth na féimheachta.
(3) I gcás éileamh ar ranníoc nó i leith fiach breithiúnais le haghaidh ranníoca a bheith inchruthaithe i bhféimheacht, ní ghlacfar le haon chruthúnas den sórt sin ach amháin sa mhéid gur íoc an t-éilitheoir fiach nó damáistí an duine dhíobháilte, mura rud é nach dtugann an duine díobháilte cruthú maidir leis an éagóir nó leis an bhfiach.
Usáid airgid is iníoctha faoi pholasaithe árachais áirithe.
62.—I gcás duine (dá ngairtear an duine árachaithe anseo feasta) a bhain amach polasaí árachais i leith dliteanais mar gheall ar éagóir, más duine aonair é, a theacht chun bheith ina fhéimheach nó d'fháil bháis nó, más comhlacht corpraithe é, a fhoirceannadh nó, más comhpháirtíocht nó comhlachas neamhchorpraithe eile é, a dhíscaoileadh, ní bheidh airgead is iníoctha leis an duine árachaithe faoin bpolasaí inúsáidte ach amháin ag glanadh go hiomlán gach éilimh bhailí i gcoinne an duine árachaithe a bhfuil an t-airgead sin iníoctha ina leith, agus ní sócmhainní leis an duine árachaithe aon chuid den airgead sin ná ní bheidh sé inúsáidte ag íoc fiacha an duine árachaithe (seachas na héilimh sin) san fhéimheacht nó i riaradh eastáit an duine árachaithe nó san fhoirceannadh nó sa díscaoileadh, agus ní bheidh aon éileamh den sórt sin inchruthaithe san fhéimheacht, sa riaracháin, san fhoirceannadh ná sa díscaoileadh.
Costais i gcaingne áirithe inar naí an gearánaí.
63.—(1) I gcás ina ndearna an cosantóir suim airgid a thaisceadh sa chúirt i gcaingean mar gheall ar éagóir inar naí an gearánaí, féadfaidh an gearánaí iarratas a dhéanamh chun an bhreithimh á iarraidh air a chinneadh ar chóir ghlacadh leis an tsuim airgid sin nó ar chóir an chaingean a dhul chun trialach agus—
(a) más rud é, ar aon iarratas den sórt sin, go gcinnfidh an breitheamh gur cóir an chaingean a dhul chun trialach, agus
(b) go ndámhfar suim mar dhamáistí don ghearánaí nach mó ná an tsuim a taisceadh amhlaidh,
ansin, d'ainneoin aon riail chúirte nó aon chleachtais dá mhalairt, beidh na costais sa chaingean faoi rogha an bhreithimh.
(2) Beidh ábhar achomhairc ann i gcoinne ordú an bhreithimh maidir leis na costais sa chaingean sin.
AN SCEIDEAL
Achtacháin a Aisghairtear
Cuid I
Achtanna ó Pharlaimint Shasana a cuireadh chun feidhme ar Éirinn leis an Acht ó Pharlaimint na hÉireann (10 Henry 7. c. 22 (Ir.)) a ritheadh sa bhliain 1495 agus dar teideal “An Act confirming all Statutes made in England”
Seisiún agus Caibidil | Teideal | Méid na hAisghairme |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
13 Edw. 1 (Stat. Westm. sec.). c. 23. | Writ of accompt for executors (1285). | An chaibidil iomlán. |
4 Edw. 3. c. 7. | Executors shall have an action of trespass for a wrong done to their testator (1330). | An chaibidil iomlán. |
Cuid II
Acht ó Pharlaimint na hÉireann
Seisiún agus Caibidil | Teideal | Méid na hAisghairme |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
10 Chas. 1 sess. 2 c. 5 (Ir.). | An Act for the recovery of arrearages of rent by executors of tenant in fee simple (1634). | An tAcht iomlán a mhéid atá sé gan aisghairm. |
Cuid III
Achtanna ó Pharlaimint Ríocht Aontaithe na Breataine Móire agus na hÉireann a bhí ann le déanaí
Seisiún agus Caibidil | Gearrtheideal | Méid na hAisghairme |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
3 & 4 Vic. c. 105. | Debtors (Ireland) Act, 1840. | Alt 31. |
51 & 52 Vic. c. 64. | Law of Libel Amendment Act, 1888. | Alt 5. |
1 & 2 Geo. 5. c. 57. | Maritime Conventions Act, 1911. | Ailt, 1, 2, 3, 8 agus 9. |
Cuid IV
Acht ó Oireachtas Shaorstát Éireann
Uimhir agus Bliain | Gearrtheideal | Méid na hAisghairme. |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
An tAcht um Aer-Loingseoireacht agus Aer-Iompar, 1936. | Alt 23. |
Cuid V
Achtanna ón Oireachtas.
Uimhir agus Bliain | Gearrtheideal | Méid na hAisghairme |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
An tAcht iomlán. | ||
An tAcht iomlán. | ||
Fo-alt 3 d'alt 2, agus fomhír (iii) de mhír (e) d'fho-alt (1) agus fo-alt (3) d'alt 11. | ||
Alt 4. | ||
Fo-.alt (4) d'alt 76 agus ailt 116 agus 117. |
Number 41 of 1961.
CIVIL LIABILITY ACT, 1961.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
Survival of Certain Causes of Action on Death
Concurrent Fault
Chapter I Liability of concurrent wrongdoers
Chapter II Contribution between concurrent wrongdoers
One wrongdoer omitted from claim for contribution; contribution in respect of contribution. | |
Chapter III Contributory negligence
Apportionment of liability in case of contributory negligence. | |
Liability of concurrent wrongdoers where plaintiff guilty of contributory negligence. | |
Chapter IV General
Fatal Injuries
Action where death caused by wrongful act, neglect or default. | |
Adaptation of references to Fatal Accidents Acts, 1846 to 1908. |
Amendments of the Workmen's Compensation Acts, 1934 Tο 1955
Amendment of the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1936
Re-enactment, with amendments, of section 18 of the Act of 1936. |
Miscellaneous
Enactments Repealed
Acts Referred to | |
1936, No. 40 | |
1957, No. 6 | |
1934, No. 9 | |
Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857 | 1857, c. 60 |
1952, No. 25 | |
1934, No. 9 | |
1953, No. 25 | |
Number 41 of 1961.
CIVIL LIABILITY ACT, 1961.
PART I
Preliminary And General
Short title and collective citation.
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Civil Liability Act, 1961.
(2) The Air Navigation and Transport Acts, 1936 to 1959, and Part VI of this Act may be cited together as the Air Navigation and Transport Acts, 1936 to 1961.
Interpretation generally.
2.—(1) In this Act, save where the context otherwise requires—
“the Act of 1936” means the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1936;
“the Statute of Limitations” means the Statute of Limitations, 1957;
“act” includes default or other omission;
“action” includes counterclaim and proceedings by way of arbitration;
“any other limitation enactment” includes sections 31, 46 and 48;
“bankrupt” includes an arranging debtor;
“bankruptcy” includes an arrangement under an order of the court for protection;
“concurrent wrongs” means wrongs committed by persons in respect of which they are concurrent wrongdoers;
“contract” means a contract under seal or by parol;
“contributor” means a person who is liable or alleged to be liable to make contribution;
“court” means, in relation to any claim, the court or arbitrator by or before whom the claim falls to be determined;
“damage” includes loss of property, loss of life and personal injury;
“damages”, except in Part IV, includes compensation for breach of trust;
“defendant” includes defendant to a counterclaim;
“injured person” means a person against whom a wrong is committed;
“liable” refers to legal liability whether or not enforceable by action;
“negligence” includes breach of statutory duty;
“personal injury” includes any disease and any impairment of a person's physical or mental condition, and “injured” shall be construed accordingly;
“plaintiff” includes a defendant counterclaiming and a defendant claiming against a co-defendant by notice or otherwise;
“third party” includes fourth party and subsequent party;
“wrong” means a tort, breach of contract or breach of trust, whether the act is committed by the person to whom the wrong is attributed or by one for whose acts he is responsible, and whether or not the act is also a crime, and whether or not the wrong is intentional;
“wrong of the defendant” includes, where the defendant is a personal representative, a wrong of the deceased for which the defendant is liable as personal representative;
“wrongdoer” means a person who commits or is otherwise responsible for a wrong.
(2) Any reference in this Act to any other enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended or applied by any subsequent enactment, including this Act.
Adaptation of references to repealed Acts.
3.—A reference in any enactment to any Act repealed by this Act shall be construed as a reference to this Act.
Savings.
4.—(1) Nothing in this Act shall have effect in relation to any cause of action which accrued before the passing of this Act.
(2) Nothing in this Act shall—
(a) render enforceable any agreement for indemnity which would not have been enforceable if this Act had not been passed, or
(b) affect the power of the court to stay proceedings that are an abuse of the process of the court.
Repeals.
5.—The enactments mentioned in the Schedule are hereby repealed to the extent specified in column (3), except in respect of cases saved by section 4.
PART II
Survival of Certain Causes of Action on Death
Preliminary
Definition (Part II).
6.—In this Part “excepted cause of action” means—
(a) a cause of action for breach of promise to marry or for defamation or for seduction or for inducing one spouse to leave or remain apart from the other or for criminal conversation, or
(b) any claim for compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1934.
Causes of action vested in deceased person
Survival of certain causes of action vested in deceased person.
7.—(1) On the death of a person on or after the date of the passing of this Act all causes of action (other than excepted causes of action) vested in him shall survive for the benefit of his estate.
(2) Where, by virtue of subsection (1) of this section, a cause of action survives for the benefit of the estate of a deceased person, the damages recoverable for the benefit of the estate of that person shall not include exemplary damages, or damages for any pain or suffering or personal injury or for loss or diminution of expectation of life or happiness.
(3) Where—
(a) a cause of action survives by virtue of subsection (1) of this section for the benefit of the estate of a deceased person, and
(b) the death of such person has been caused by the circumstances which gave rise to such cause of action,
the damages recoverable for the benefit of his estate shall be calculated without reference to any loss or gain to his estate consequent on his death, except that a sum in respect of funeral expenses may be included.
(4) The rights conferred by this section for the benefit of the estate of a deceased person are in addition to the rights conferred on the dependants of deceased persons by Part III of the Act of 1936 and Part IV of this Act.
Causes of action subsisting against deceased person
Survival of certain causes of action subsisting against deceased person.
8.—(1) On the death of a person on or after the date of the passing of this Act all causes of action (other than excepted causes of action) subsisting against him shall survive against his estate.
(2) Where damage has been suffered by reason of any act in respect of which a cause of action would have subsisted against any person if he had not died before or at the same time as the damage was suffered, there shall be deemed, for the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, to have been subsisting against him before his death such cause of action in respect of that act as would have subsisted if he had died after the damage was suffered.
Time limit in respect of causes of action which survive against estate of deceased person.
9.—(1) In this section “the relevant period” means the period of limitation prescribed by the Statute of Limitations or any other limitation enactment.
(2) No proceedings shall be maintainable in respect of any cause of action whatsoever which has survived against the estate of a deceased person unless either—
(a) proceedings against him in respect of that cause of action were commenced within the relevant period and were pending at the date of his death, or
(b) proceedings are commenced in respect of that cause of action within the relevant period or within the period of two years after his death, whichever period first expires.
Insolvency of estate against which proceedings, are maintainable.
10.—In the event of the insolvency of an estate against which proceedings are maintainable, any liability in respect of the cause of action in respect of which the proceedings are maintainable shall be deemed to be a debt provable in the administration of the estate, notwithstanding that it is a demand in the nature of unliquidated damages arising otherwise than by a contract or promise.
PART III
Concurrent Fault
Chapter I
Liability of concurrent wrongdoers
Persons who are concurrent wrongdoers.
11.—(1) For the purpose of this Part, two or more persons are concurrent wrongdoers when both or all are wrongdoers and are responsible to a third person (in this Part called the injured person or the plaintiff) for the same damage, whether or not judgment has been recovered against some or all of them.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section—
(a) persons may become concurrent wrongdoers as a result of vicarious liability of one for another, breach of joint duty, conspiracy, concerted action to a common end or independent acts causing the same damage;
(b) the wrong on the part of one or both may be a tort, breach of contract or breach of trust, or any combination of them;
(c) it is immaterial whether the acts constituting concurrent wrongs are contemporaneous or successive.
(3) Where two or more persons are at fault and one or more of them is or are responsible for damage while the other or others is or are free from causal responsibility, but it is not possible to establish which is the case, such two or more persons shall be deemed to be concurrent wrongdoers in respect of the damage.
(4) Where there is a joint libel in circumstances normally protected by the defences of qualified privilege or fair comment upon a matter of public interest, the malice of one person shall not defeat the defence for the other, unless that other is vicariously liable for the malice of the first.
(5) Where the same or substantially the same libel or slander or injurious falsehood is published by different persons, the court shall take into consideration the extent to which it is probable that the statement in question was published directly or indirectly to the same persons, and to that extent may find the wrongdoers to be concurrent wrongdoers.
(6) For the purpose of any enactment referring to a specific tort, an action for a conspiracy to commit that tort shall be deemed to be an action for that tort.
Extent of liability.
12.—(1) Subject to the provisions of sections 14, 38 and 46, concurrent wrongdoers are each liable for the whole of the damage in respect of which they are concurrent wrongdoers.
(2) Where the acts of two or more persons who are not concurrent wrongdoers cause independent items of damage of the same kind to a third person or to one of their number, the court may apportion liability between such persons in such manner as may be justified by the probabilities of the case, or where the plaintiff is at fault may similarly reduce his damages; and if the proper proportions cannot be determined the damages may be apportioned or divided equally.
(3) Subsection (2) of this section shall apply to two or more persons whose acts taken together constitute a nuisance, even though the act of any one of them taken alone would not constitute a nuisance, not being unreasonable in degree.
Joinder of defendants.
13.—An action may be brought against all of concurrent wrongdoers or against any of them without joining the other or others, but the court shall have power—
(a) in an action for the execution of trusts, to require the trust estate to be properly represented;
(b) in an action where the title to property is in question, to require the joinder of all those interested or claiming to be interested in the property.
Judgments to be several.
14.—(1) Where judgment is given against concurrent wrongdoers who are sued together, the court may give judgment against the defendants together or against the defendants separately and, if the judgment is given against the defendants together, it shall take effect as if it were given against them separately.
(2) Subject to subsections (3) and (6) of this section and to sections 38 and 46, each of the said judgments shall be for the full amount of the plaintiff's damages in respect of which the defendants are concurrent wrongdoers, together with any further damages in respect of which the particular defendant against whom judgment is given is individually liable and, if the same jury has in its verdict apportioned damages between the defendants on the basis that the total of the damages awarded is meant to be equivalent to the plaintiff's loss resulting from the concurrent wrongs, the plaintiff shall be entitled to judgment against the defendants for the aggregate of such damages.
(3) The plaintiff may agree to accept an apportionment of his damages among the defendants according to their degrees of fault and, in this event, the following provisions shall take effect—
(a) satisfaction of one judgment shall not operate as satisfaction of the others;
(b) the defendants shall have no right of contribution among themselves;
(c) the plaintiff, at any time within the period limited by law for the enforcement of judgments and upon proof that, after taking reasonable steps, he has failed to obtain satisfaction of any judgment in whole or in part, shall have liberty to apply for secondary judgments having the effect of distributing the deficiency among the other defendants in such proportions as may be just and equitable.
(4) Where the court would be prepared to award punitive damages against one of concurrent tortfeasors, punitive damages shall not be awarded against another of such tortfeasors merely because he is a concurrent tortfeasor, but a judgment for an additional sum by way of punitive damages may be given against the first-mentioned tortfeasor.
(5) The judgment mentioned in subsection (4) of this section may specify that such additional sum is awarded by way of punitive damages, and no contribution shall be payable in respect thereof by a tortfeasor against whom such judgment could not properly have been given,
(6) Where, in an action for libel or slander, one of concurrent tortfeasors would have been entitled to a mitigation of the damages payable by him had he been a single tortfeasor, but another of the said tortfeasors would not have been so entitled, the first-mentioned tortfeasor shall be entitled to the said mitigation of damages and shall not be compellable to make contribution except in respect of the amount of damages payable by him; and the judgment against him may be given accordingly.
Judgment by default.
15.—(1) Where one of concurrent wrongdoers who are sued together makes default of appearance or defence, the plaintiff may obtain an interlocutory judgment against him and damages shall be assessed against him—
(a) at the same time as damages are assessed at the trial against the other defendants who appear;
(b) if the plaintiff fails against such other defendants or discontinues his action against them, separately under the interlocutory judgment.
(2) If the plaintiff fails against the defendants who appear for a reason that goes to the liability of all, the interlocutory judgment shall be discharged.
(3) If the plaintiff's damages against the defendants who appear are reduced under subsection (1) of section 34 on account of the plaintiff's contributory negligence, damages shall be assessed under the interlocutory judgment as if the defendant had appeared.
(4) This section shall not apply to any head of damage in respect of which the defendant who makes default and the defendants who appear are not concurrent wrongdoers.
Discharge and estoppel by satisfaction.
16.—(1) Where damage is suffered by any person as a result of concurrent wrongs, satisfaction by any wrongdoer shall discharge the others whether such others have been sued to judgment or not.
(2) Satisfaction means payment of damages, whether after judgment or by way of accord and satisfaction, or the rendering of any agreed substitution therefor.
(3) If the payment is of damages, it must be of the full damages agreed by the injured person or adjudged by the court as the damages due to him in respect of the wrong; otherwise it shall operate only as partial satisfaction.
(4) An injured person who has accepted satisfaction from one alleged to be a wrongdoer, whether under a judgment or otherwise, shall, in any subsequent proceeding against another wrongdoer in respect of the same damage, be estopped from denying that the person who made the satisfaction was liable to him; and the liability of such person shall be conclusively assumed for the purpose of the said proceeding: but the injured person may litigate in the said proceeding any question of law or fact relative to the liability of the defendant to such proceeding, other than the question whether or not the said satisfaction was made by one liable to the injured person.
Release of, or accord with, one wrongdoer.
17.—(1) The release of, or accord with, one concurrent wrongdoer shall discharge the others if such release or accord indicates an intention that the others are to be discharged.
(2) If no such intention is indicated by such release or accord, the other wrongdoers shall not be discharged but the injured person shall be identified with the person with whom the release or accord is made in any action against the other wrongdoers in accordance with paragraph (h) of subsection (1) of section 35; and in any such action the claim against the other wrongdoers shall be reduced in the amount of the consideration paid for the release or accord, or in any amount by which the release or accord provides that the total claim shall be reduced, or to the extent that the wrongdoer with whom the release or accord was made would have been liable to contribute if the plaintiff's total claim had been paid by the other wrongdoers, whichever of those three amounts is the greatest.
(3) For the purpose of this Part, the taking of money out of court that has been paid in by a defendant shall be deemed to be an accord and satisfaction with him.
Judgment against one wrongdoer.
18.—(1) Where damage is suffered by any person as a result of concurrent wrongs—
(a) judgment recovered against any wrongdoer liable in respect of that damage shall not be a bar to an action against any other person who would, if sued, have been liable as concurrent wrongdoer in respect of the same damage;
(b) if more than one action is brought in respect of that damage by or on behalf of the person by whom it was suffered, or for the benefit of his estate, or for the benefit of his dependants, against wrongdoers liable in respect of the damage, the sums recoverable under the judgments given in those actions by way of damages shall not in the aggregate exceed the amount of the damages awarded by the judgment first given; and in any of those actions, other than that in which judgment is first given, the plaintiff shall not be entitled to costs unless the court is of opinion that there was reasonable ground for bringing the action: but this paragraph shall not apply where the judgment first given was an apportioned judgment given in pursuance of section 14, section 38 or section 46.
(2) The reference in this section to “the judgment first given” shall, in a case where that judgment is reversed on appeal, be construed as a reference to the judgment first given which is not so reversed and, in a case where a judgment is varied on appeal, be construed as a reference to that judgment as so varied.
Judgment in favour of one alleged wrongdoer.
19.—(1) Where the injured person sues one or more of alleged concurrent wrongdoers and judgment is given for one defendant, the injured person shall be bound by the findings of fact in favour of such defendant in the injured person's present or subsequent action against another or others of the alleged concurrent wrongdoers.
(2) (a) For the purpose of subsection (1) of this section, where judgment is given for the said defendant on the ground of the injured person's discontinuance, the injured person shall be bound by the allegations and denials in the said defendant's defence as if they had been found in favour of the said defendant, so far as they are relevant to the defence of that defendant.
(b) Paragraph (a) of this subsection shall not apply unless, on the facts, the injured person is barred by his discontinuance from bringing a second action against the said defendant.
(3) Where an action is brought against concurrent wrongdoers and judgment is given against one and for another for a reason that goes to the liability of all, the first-mentioned judgment shall be discharged.
(4) Where an action is brought against concurrent wrongdoers and judgment is given against one without reduction of damages and against another subject to a reduction of damages under subsection (1) of section 34 on account of the plaintiff's contributory negligence, the damages under the first-mentioned judgment shall be assessed subject to the same proportionate reduction, and the provisions of section 38 shall apply.
Limitation of actions against one of concurrent wrongdoers.
20.—For the purpose of the Statute of Limitations or any other limitation enactment concealed fraud by one of concurrent wrongdoers shall not suspend time for another or others.
Chapter II
Contribution between concurrent wrongdoers
Contribution in respect of damages.
21.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, a concurrent wrongdoer (for this purpose called the claimant) may recover contribution from any other wrongdoer who is, or would if sued at the time of the wrong have been, liable in respect of the same damage (for this purpose called the contributor), so, however, that no person shall be entitled to recover contribution under this Part from any person entitled to be indemnified by him in respect of the liability in respect of which the contribution is sought.
(2) In any proceedings for contribution under this Part, the amount of the contribution recoverable from any contributor shall be such as may be found by the court to be just and equitable having regard to the degree of that contributor's fault, and the court shall have power to exempt any person from liability to make contribution or to direct that the contribution to be recovered from any contributor shall amount to a complete indemnity.
Contribution claimed by settling tortfeasor.
22.—(1) Where the claimant has settled with the injured person in such a way as to bar the injured person's claim against the other concurrent wrongdoers, the claimant may recover contribution in the same way as if he had suffered judgment for damages, if he satisfies the court that the amount of the settlement was reasonable; and, if the court finds that the amount of the settlement was excessive, it may fix the amount at which the claim should have been settled.
(2) Where the claimant has settled with the injured person without barring the injured person's claim against the other concurrent wrongdoers or has paid to the injured person a sum on account of his damages, the claimant shall have the same right of contribution as aforesaid, and for this purpose the payment of a reasonable consideration for a release or accord shall be regarded as a payment of damages for which the claimant is liable to the injured person: but the contributor shall have the right to claim repayment of the whole or part of the sum so paid if the said contributor is subsequently compelled to pay a sum in settlement of his own liability to the injured person and if the circumstances render repayment just and equitable.
Enforcement of judgment for contribution.
23.—(1) Where, in accordance with the provisions of this Part, judgment is given for contribution in respect of damages for which the claimant is or has been liable to the injured person, execution shall not be issued on such judgment until after satisfaction by the claimant in whose favour it is given before or after the said judgment of the whole or part of the damages for which he is liable to the injured person, and execution shall then issue only in respect of the amount by which the sum paid by him exceeds his just proportion of that particular amount, as such proportion is determined by the court in accordance with this Part.
(2) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1) of this section, execution may be issued on such judgment as aforesaid after satisfaction by the claimant in whose favour it is given of his just proportion of the damages for which he is liable to the injured person, provided that in this case the court makes provision, by obtaining the personal undertaking of the claimant's solicitor or otherwise, for applying the sum received under the said judgment towards satisfaction of the damages due to the injured person
(3) In this section “damages for which he is liable to the injured person” means damages for which the claimant is liable at the time when satisfaction is made to the injured person or his representatives or lawful assignees.
(4) A payment of damages by the claimant at a time when the injured person's cause of action against the claimant is barred by the Statute of Limitations or any other limitation enactment shall not found a claim to levy execution under a judgment for contribution: but such a payment shall found such a claim if, at the time when it was made, the injured person's cause of action against the contributor was not barred.
Contribution in respect of costs.
24.—A judgment for contribution may be given in respect of costs payable to the injured person or incurred by the claimant: but, where the injured person has sued the claimant and the contributor together and has recovered judgment for costs against both of them, the provisions of section 23 shall apply, with the substitution of the word “costs” for the word “damages” where-ever it there appears.
One wrongdoer omitted from claim for contribution; contribution in respect of contribution.
25.—Where, of three or more concurrent wrongdoers, one is omitted from the claim for contribution, contribution shall be awarded to the claimant on the basis that responsibility for the damage is to be borne by the claimant and the contributor or contributors without regard to the responsibility of the omitted wrongdoer, and, in such a case, a claimant whose net remaining liability is increased or a contributor whose contribution is increased by reason of the fact that judgment has not been given against the omitted wrongdoer may claim contribution from such omitted wrongdoer in accordance with the provisions of this Part: but, where such last-mentioned claim for contribution is made by a contributor in respect of his own liability to make contribution and judgment is given in such contributor's favour, execution shall not be issued on that judgment—
(a) except in accordance with the provisions of section 23, with the substitution of “contribution” for “damages” and of “original claimant for contribution” for “injured person” wherever they there appear, and “just proportion” in the said section being understood to mean for this purpose just proportion as between the contributor in whose favour judgment for contribution is now given and the wrongdoer against whom the said judgment is given, and in any case
(b) to an amount greater than the sum that, when added to the amount (if any) still due to the injured person, will equal the just proportion of the damages payable by the wrongdoer against whom the said judgment is given.
Contribution where property is restored to its owner.
26.—For the purpose of a claim for contribution—
(a) a person who restores property to its true owner shall be deemed to be a concurrent wrongdoer with one through whom he originally claimed the property and who was a wrongdoer in respect of it towards the true owner, and
(b) such restoration of property shall, as against such wrongdoer, be deemed to be a payment of damages to the extent of the value of the property.
Procedure for claiming contribution.
27.—(1) A concurrent wrongdoer who is sued for damages or for contribution and who wishes to make a claim for contribution under this Part—
(a) shall not, if the person from whom he proposes to claim contribution is already a party to the action, be entitled to claim contribution except by a claim made in the said action, whether before or after judgment in the action; and
(b) shall, if the said person is not already a party to the action, serve a third-party notice upon such person as soon as is reasonably possible and, having served such notice, he shall not be entitled to claim contribution except under the third-party procedure. If such third-party notice is not served as aforesaid, the court may in its discretion refuse to make an order for contribution against the person from whom contribution is claimed.
(2) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to any contribution claim where the parties to the claim are precluded by agreement or otherwise from disputing any earlier determination by a court of the amount of the injured person's damages and the proportion in which contribution should be made.
(3) Where it is sought to serve a third-party notice making a claim for contribution, or making a claim for damages in respect of a wrong committed to the third-party plaintiff, such claim for damages having arisen in whole or in part out of the same facts as the facts giving rise to the principal plaintiff's claim, leave to serve a third-party notice shall not be refused merely because the issue between the third-party plaintiff and the third party will involve a difficult question of law.
(4) Where a concurrent wrongdoer makes a payment to the injured person without action in settlement of the injured person's claim against himself and subsequently claims contribution in accordance with section 22, the contributor shall have the right to have the injured person joined as co-defendant for the purpose of binding him by the determination of the proportions of contribution, unless the injured person is co-plaintiff in the action or the injured person has effectively agreed to be bound by such determination or the injured person has no claim against the contributor or the injured person has already sued the contributor to judgment.
Distribution of loss on failure to obtain satisfaction.
28.—Where, of three or more concurrent wrongdoers, judgment for contribution is given in favour of one against two or more, the claimant, at any time within the period limited by law for the enforcement of judgments and upon proof that, after taking reasonable steps, he has failed to obtain satisfaction of any judgment in whole or in part, shall have liberty to apply for secondary judgments having the effect of distributing the deficiency among the other defendants in such proportions as may be just and equitable.
Estoppel when contribution is claimed.
29.—(1) In any proceeding for contribution, the contributor shall not be entitled to resist the claim on the ground that the claimant who has paid the injured person was not liable to such person; but, subject to this section and to the general law of estoppel, he may resist the claim on the ground that he himself is not liable to such person and, for this purpose, may dispute any question of law or fact even though that question arises also on the liability of the claimant to the injured person; and the contributor may in the same way dispute the amount of the damage suffered by the injured person.
(2) Where a claim for contribution is made by third-party notice in the injured person's action and the third party is given leave to defend the main action, he shall be bound by the finding of the court upon the questions that he is given leave to defend.
(3) Where the contributor had knowledge of an action brought by the injured person against the claimant, and unreasonably failed to make a proposal for assisting the claimant in the defence of the action, and the injured person obtained judgment against the claimant, the contributor shall, in any proceeding brought against him by the claimant, be estopped from disputing the propriety or amount of the judgment obtained by the injured person or any question of law or fact common to the claimant's liability to the injured person and the contributor's liability to the injured person: but the contributor shall not be so estopped where the claimant submitted to judgment in fraud of the contributor.
(4) In any proceeding for contribution the claimant shall be bound by any finding of law or fact in the injured person's action against him that was necessary to establish his liability to the injured person.
(5) Where the injured person has sued the claimant and contributor together and failed against the contributor, the claimant shall, in any proceeding for contribution, be bound by any finding of law or fact that was necessary to negative the contributor's liability to the injured person: provided that—
(a) the claimant shall not be so bound where the injured person submitted to judgment in fraud of the claimant;
(b) this subsection shall not apply where the injured person's action was brought in a court outside the State, unless by the law of the court the claimant had an opportunity of presenting evidence against the contributor, of appealing against a judgment in his favour and of contesting an appeal by him.
(6) (a) A decision on the proportion of fault between claimant and contributor on a claim for contribution shall be binding upon the same persons in a subsequent claim in respect of damage suffered by one or both of them arising out of the same facts, and, conversely, such a decision in a claim in respect of such damage shall be binding upon the same persons in a subsequent claim for contribution.
(b) Paragraph (a) of this subsection shall apply between two parties notwithstanding that one of them is party to the two actions in different capacities.
(7) A concurrent wrongdoer who makes a payment to the injured person without action in settlement of the injured person's claim against himself and who subsequently claims contribution under section 22 shall, where the injured person has sued the contributor, be bound by the apportionment made by the court in the injured person's action in accordance with paragraph (h) of subsection (1) of section 35.
(8) It shall not be a defence to a claim for contribution merely to show that the injured person has failed in an action against the contributor to which the claimant was not a party.
Legal incidents of claim for contribution.
30.—The right to ask the court for an award of contribution shall be deemed to be in the nature of a quasi-contractual right which shall pass to the personal representatives of the claimant for the benefit of his estate, and shall avail against the personal representatives of the contributor; and the right to contribution shall be deemed to be a cause of action within section 9.
Limitation of actions for contribution.
31.—An action may be brought for contribution within the same period as the injured person is allowed by law for bringing an action against the contributor, or within the period of two years after the liability of the claimant is ascertained or the injured person's damages are paid, whichever is the greater.
Evidence and appeals.
32.—(1) Where an action is brought against two or more persons as concurrent wrongdoers, each defendant shall have the right to present evidence against the other or others.
(2) Where an action is brought against two or more persons as concurrent wrongdoers and the plaintiff obtains judgment and the judgment is satisfied by one of such wrongdoers, another of such wrongdoers may appeal against the judgment notwithstanding that it has been satisfied.
(3) Where an action is brought against two or more persons as concurrent wrongdoers and the plaintiff obtains judgment and one defendant appeals against the judgment, another defendant may, upon giving such notice as may be required by rules of court, contest the appeal as respondent.
(4) Where an action is brought against two or more persons as concurrent wrongdoers and the plaintiff succeeds against one and fails against another, the unsuccessful defendant may appeal against the judgment in favour of the successful defendant.
Contribution to be regarded as damages.
33.—(1) For the purpose of a contract insuring against liability for a wrong or against a liability to pay damages, the liability of a wrongdoer to make contribution under this Part to a concurrent wrongdoer shall be deemed to be a liability to pay damages for a wrong, unless the contrary intention appears from the contract.
(2) Where a claim for contribution between wrongdoers is made under a contract for contribution between them, the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall apply to the extent that the claim could have been made under the provisions of this Part instead of under the contract for contribution.
Chapter III
Contributory negligence
Apportionment of liability in case of contributory negligence.
34.—(1) Where, in any action brought by one person in respect of a wrong committed by any other person, it is proved that the damage suffered by the plaintiff was caused partly by the negligence or want of care of the plaintiff or of one for whose acts he is responsible (in this Part called contributory negligence) and partly by the wrong of the defendant, the damages recoverable in respect of the said wrong shall be reduced by such amount as the court thinks just and equitable having regard to the degrees of fault of the plaintiff and defendant: provided that—
(a) if, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, it is not possible to establish different degrees of fault, the liability shall be apportioned equally;
(b) this subsection shall not operate to defeat any defence arising under a contract or the defence that the plaintiff before the act complained of agreed to waive his legal rights in respect of it, whether or not for value; but, subject as aforesaid, the provisions of this subsection shall apply notwithstanding that the defendant might, apart from this subsection, have the defence of voluntary assumption of risk;
(c) where any contract or enactment providing for the limitation of liability is applicable to the claim, the amount of damages awarded to the plaintiff by virtue of this subsection shall not exceed the maximum limit so applicable.
(2) For the purpose of subsection (1) of this section—
(a) damage suffered by the plaintiff may include damages paid by the plaintiff to a third person who has suffered damage owing to the concurrent wrongs of the plaintiff and the defendant, and the period of limitation for claiming such damages shall be the same as is provided by section 31 for actions for contribution;
(b) a negligent or careless failure to mitigate damage shall be deemed to be contributory negligence in respect of the amount by which such damage exceeds the damage that would otherwise have occurred;
(c) the plaintiff's failure to exercise reasonable care for his own protection shall not amount to contributory negligence in respect of damage unless that damage results from the particular risk to which his conduct has exposed him, and the plaintiff's breach of statutory duty shall not amount to contributory negligence unless the damage of which he complains is damage that the statute was designed to prevent;
(d) the plaintiff's failure to exercise reasonable care in the protection of his own property shall, except to the extent that the defendant has been unjustly enriched, be deemed to be contributory negligence in an action for conversion of the property;
(e) damage may be held to be caused by the wrong of the defendant notwithstanding any rule of law by which the scope of the defendant's duty is limited to cases where the plaintiff has not been guilty of contributory negligence: but this paragraph shall not render the defendant liable for any damage in respect of which he or a person for whose acts he is responsible has not been careless in fact;
(f) where an action is brought for negligence in respect of a thing that has caused damage, the fact that there was a reasonable possibility or probability of examination after the thing had left the hands of the defendant shall not, by itself, exclude the defendant's duty, but may be taken as evidence that he was not in the circumstances negligent in parting with the thing in its dangerous state.
(3) Article 21 of the Warsaw Convention (which empowers a court to exonerate wholly or partly a carrier who proves that the damage was caused by or contributed to by the negligence of the injured person) shall have effect subject to the provisions of this Part.
Identification.
35.—(1) For the purpose of determining contributory negligence—
(a) a plaintiff shall be responsible for the acts of a person for whom he is, in the particular circumstances, vicariously liable;
(b) a plaintiff in an action brought for the benefit of the dependants of a deceased person under Part IV (whether such plaintiff is the personal representative or a dependant of the deceased) shall be deemed to be responsible for the acts of the deceased;
(c) a plaintiff suing as personal representative of the person suffering the damage shall be deemed to be responsible for the acts of such person;
(d) a plaintiff suing on behalf of another (in this section called a nominal plaintiff) shall be deemed to be responsible for the acts of that other (in this section called the beneficiary) and, in particular, a person suing as personal representative of a deceased person shall be deemed to be responsible for the acts of those who would profit by success in the action, including the dependants of the deceased where the action is brought under Part IV: provided that—
(i) where a nominal plaintiff is suing on behalf of more than one beneficiary and one beneficiary has been guilty of contributory negligence while another beneficiary has not, the provisions of subsection (1) of section 34 shall apply only in respect of the share of the beneficiary guilty of contributory negligence; and the provisions of section 21 shall apply in favour of the defendant against the beneficiary so guilty of contributory negligence, in respect of the sum payable by the defendant for the benefit of the beneficiary not guilty of contributory negligence;
(ii) where it is found to be more convenient, the court may allow a nominal plaintiff to recover in full notwithstanding the contributory negligence of a beneficiary, and the provisions of section 21 shall then apply in favour of the defendant against the beneficiary so guilty of contributory negligence;
(e) a plaintiff suing as assignee of another, whether by operation of law or otherwise, shall be deemed to be responsible for the acts of that other;
(f) where the plaintiff's damage was caused by two or more persons and such persons would have been concurrent wrongdoers were it not for a contract by the plaintiff with one of such persons before the occurrence of the damage exempting that person from liability, the plaintiff shall be deemed to be responsible for the acts of that person;
(g) where the plaintiff's damage was caused by concurrent wrongdoers and before the occurrence of the damage the liability of one of such wrongdoers was limited by contract with the plaintiff to a sum less than that wrongdoer's just share of liability between himself and the other wrongdoer as determined under section 21 apart from such contract, the plaintiff shall be deemed to be responsible for the acts of that wrongdoer;
(h) where the plaintiff's damage was caused by concurrent wrongdoers and after the occurrence of the damage the liability of one of such wrongdoers is discharged by release or accord made with him by the plaintiff, while the liability of the other wrongdoers remains, the plaintiff shall be deemed to be responsible for the acts of the wrongdoer whose liability is so discharged;
(i) where the plaintiff's damage was caused by concurrent wrongdoers and the plaintiff's claim against one wrongdoer has become barred by the Statute of Limitations or any other limitation enactment, the plaintiff shall be deemed to be responsible for the acts of such wrongdoer;
(j) where the plaintiff's damage was caused by concurrent wrongdoers and, in an action against one of such wrongdoers, judgment is given for the defendant and the plaintiff then brings an action against another of such wrongdoers, the plaintiff shall be deemed to be responsible for the acts of the successful defendant if the defendant now sued can prove that he and the successful defendant were in fact concurrent wrongdoers;
(k) a plaintiff who is responsible for the acts of another under paragraphs (a) to (j) of this subsection shall be responsible also for the acts of any other persons for whose acts the said other person would be responsible under the said paragraphs if he were plaintiff in the action.
(2) For the purpose of subsection (1) of section 34, the contributory negligence—
(a) of a nominal plaintiff, or
(b) (where the action is brought for the loss of the consortium or services of a wife or for the loss of the services of a child or servant) of a wife, child or servant, shall neither bar recovery nor reduce the damages awarded; but the provisions of section 21 shall apply in favour of the defendant against the said nominal plaintiff, wife, child or servant, as the case may be.
(3) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall affect the rights of the plaintiff against, or render the plaintiff liable in damages for the acts of, a person for whose acts he is deemed by the said subsection to be responsible.
(4) Where a plaintiff is held to be responsible for the acts of another under this section and his damages are accordingly reduced under subsection (1) of section 34, the defendant shall not be entitled to contribution under section 21 from the person for whose acts the plaintiff is responsible.
Set-off of claims.
36.—(1) When judgment is given for the plaintiff on a claim and for the defendant on a counterclaim under subsection (1) of section 34, the one judgment shall be set off against the other and only the balance found owing shall be recoverable.
(2) This section shall apply notwithstanding that one party is a bankrupt or (where a personal representative is party to an action) that the estate administered by him is insolvent.
(3) This section, and also section 251 of the Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act, 1857, in so far as it applies to a set-off of judgment debts owing by and to a bankrupt, shall operate only in relation to the satisfaction of debts, and, for all purposes (including the construction of policies of insurance) other than that aforesaid, a judgment shall be treated as creating a debt, duty, obligation and liability for the full amount of the judgment as if there were no set-off, and for such other purposes a debt (whether by judgment or otherwise) shall be deemed to be paid by the judgment debtor to the extent of a debt set off against it.
(4) Notwithstanding anything in section 62, where a claim is made against a person who is insured in respect of a liability alleged in that claim and the claim is paid by the insurer with a deduction in respect of a sum owed to the insured by the person making such claim, the insured or any person representing or deriving title under him shall be entitled to recover from the insurers the amount of the said deduction.
Estoppel in case of contributory negligence.
37.—(1) Where a plaintiff has his damagees reduced under subsection (1) of section 34 on account of contributory negligence and the defendant subsequently brings an action against the plaintiff in respect of damage arising out of the same facts, the determination of liability and the apportionment of fault in the first action shall be binding between the parties in the second action.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall apply between two parties notwithstanding that one of them is party to the two actions in different capacities.
Liability of concurrent wrongdoers where plaintiff guilty of contributory negligence.
38.—(1) Where an action is brought against one or more of concurrent wrongdoers by an injured person who is found in such action to have been guilty of contributory negligence and it is held to be just and equitable that the plaintiff's damages should be reduced under subsection (1) of section 34 having regard to his contributory negligence, the judgment against one wrongdoer shall not be for the whole of the plaintiff's recoverable damages but the court shall determine the respective degrees of fault of the plaintiff and of all the defendants to the plaintiff's claim at the time of judgment, leaving out of account the degrees of fault of persons who are not such defendants, and shall give the plaintiff a several judgment against each defendant for such apportioned part of his total damages as the court thinks just and equitable having regard to that defendant's degree of fault determined as aforesaid.
(2) The plaintiff, at any time within the period limited by law for the enforcement of judgments and upon proof that, after taking reasonable steps, he has failed to obtain satisfaction of any judgment in whole or in part, shall have liberty to apply for secondary judgments having the effect of distributing the deficiency among the other defendants in such proportions as may be just and equitable.
(3) This section shall not apply where one of the defendant wrongdoers is responsible for the acts of another; such wrongdoers shall, subject to subsection (1) of section 34, be liable to the plaintiff for a single portion of his damages.
(4) After judgment has been given in accordance with subsection (1) of this section, the plaintiff shall not be entitled to bring a second or subsequent action against a concurrent wrongdoer against whom judgment has not been given, unless he satisfies the court in such action that it was not reasonably possible for him to join such wrongdoer as co-defendant in the first action.
(5) The plaintiff, when commencing such second or subsequent action, shall be under a duty to the wrongdoers already successfully sued who have a right of contribution against the wrongdoer now sued or proposed to be sued to take reasonable steps to notify them of such second or subsequent action at least fourteen days before the institution of proceedings in such action or as soon as is reasonably possible after the commencement of such period.
(6) A wrongdoer receiving such notice shall have the right to become co-plaintiff in the action if the proceedings have not been instituted and otherwise to apply to the court for leave to be joined as co-plaintiff or for consolidation of actions; and a wrongdoer who unreasonably fails to take any of those steps as aforesaid shall be barred from his right of contribution.
(7) If the plaintiff is successful in such second or subsequent action, he shall be entitled to the difference between the total of the damages awarded to him in the previous judgment or judgments and the total of damages that in the view of the court would have been awarded if the said wrongdoer had been joined with the previous defendant or defendants as co-defendant in the earlier action or actions; and he shall be entitled in addition to the provision mentioned in subsection (2) of this section: provided that—
(a) nothing in this subsection shall entitle a plaintiff to recover from such wrongdoer more than he could have recovered had he not brought such previous action or actions;
(b) nothing in this subsection shall preclude such wrongdoer from disputing any issue that he is otherwise entitled to dispute and, if the plaintiff's damages are found to be less than they were held to be by the court in the earlier action or actions, such wrongdoer shall not be liable for more than his due proportion as between himself, the plaintiff and the previous defendant or defendants of the damages so found;
(c) such wrongdoer may at his option avail himself of any matter decided against the plaintiff in such previous action or actions as though such matter were res judicata between them.
(8) Where damages are awarded against a wrongdoer in accordance with the provisions of this section, such wrongdoer may recover contribution from any other wrongdoer not sued at the same time where such recovery is just and equitable subject to the provisions of Chapter II of this Part.
(9) A wrongdoer, when commencing such action for contribution, shall be under a duty to the injured person who has a right of action against the contributor and to the other wrongdoers already successfully sued by the injured person who have a right of contribution against the contributor to take reasonable steps to notify them of such action for contribution at least fourteen days before the institution of proceedings in such action or as soon as is reasonably possible after the commencement of such period.
(10) The injured person or a wrongdoer receiving such notice shall have the rights specified in subsection (6) of this section, and if he unreasonably fails to take advantage of his rights he shall be barred from his right of action for damages or for contribution as the case may be.
(11) Where the injured person brings a second or subsequent action in accordance with the provisions of this section, and where a wrongdoer brings an action for contribution as provided in subsection (8) of this section, the parties to the action shall be bound by the apportionment of fault made in the earlier action or actions: but the defendant shall not be bound by such apportionment if provision comes to be made for distributing any deficiency caused by the failure to obtain satisfaction of any judgment in whole or in part from one of the wrongdoers already sued.
(12) Where—
(a) the plaintiff sues one wrongdoer and either because he obtains judgment by default or because the court negatives contributory negligence the plaintiff recovers judgment in respect of the whole of his damages against such wrongdoer, and
(b) the plaintiff subsequently sues another wrongdoer who is held to have been a concurrent wrongdoer with the first, the plaintiff also being held to have been guilty of contributory negligence as regards both wrongdoers, the defendant secondly sued shall be entitled to credit for the same proportion of the sum received from the defendant first sued as the proportion of the damage adjudged to be borne by the plaintiff as between himself and the defendant secondly sued, and in the event of overpayment shall be entitled to repayment.
Bankruptcy of one wrongdoer.
39.—Where it is made to appear to the court that—
(a) one wrongdoer in whose favour judgment is given is or may become a bankrupt, or
(b) the estate of one wrongdoer for the benefit of which judgment is given is or may be insolvent,
provision shall be made to ensure that such first-mentioned wrongdoer or such estate, as the case may be, shall be deprived of recovery to the extent that the wrongdoer or estate is liable to another party or in the aggregate to other parties as a result of the same accident, occurrence or transaction; and for that purpose judgment in favour of the wrongdoer or for the benefit of the estate shall, where necessary, be attached in whole or in part for the benefit of another party in whose favour judgment is given.
Special findings.
40.—(1) Where damages are awarded to any person by virtue of subsection (1) of section 34, the jury or if there is no jury then the judge or arbitrator shall find and record—
(a) the total damages that would have been awarded if there had not been contributory negligence;
(b) where the plaintiff's damages are reduced under the said subsection, the proportion of such damages that shall not be awarded to the plaintiff and the proportion that shall be payable by the defendant, or the respective proportions that shall be payable by each of the defendants if more than one, expressed in each case in percentage of the total fault of the plaintiff and defendant or defendants;
(c) whose negligence, want of care or caution, or wrong contributed to whose or what damage, and in what respects.
(2) It shall be the duty of the judge or arbitrator to make the requisite calculations following upon such findings.
Courts of limited jurisdiction.
41.—Where an action is brought in a court of limited jurisdiction, the court may award damages up to the limit of its jurisdiction, even though such damages have first been reduced under subsection (1) of section 34 on account of the plaintiff's contributory negligence.
Costs in cases of contributory negligence.
42.—As a general principle, but not so as to limit the judge in the exercise of his discretion, where damages are awarded on claim and counterclaim subject in each case to a reduction for contributory negligence under subsection (1) of section 34, costs shall be awarded in the same proportions as damages.
Chapter IV
General
Application to breaches of strict duty.
43.—In determining the amount of contribution or of reduction of damages under subsection (1) of section 34 for contributory negligence the court may take account of the fact that the negligence or wrong of one person consisted only in a breach of strict statutory or common-law duty without fault, and may accordingly hold that it is not just and equitable to cast any part of the damage upon such person.
One-sided periods of limitation.
44.—Where, in any claim for contribution between wrongdoers, or in any case to which subsection (1) of section 34 applies, the defendant avoids liability to the plaintiff by pleading the Statute of Limitations or any other limitation enactment, neither he nor any other person responsible for his acts shall be entitled to recover any damages or contribution from the plaintiff.
Restitution.
45.—(1) Where, in cases falling within sections 16 or 17 or within subsection (1) of section 35, the defendant owing to ignorance of the facts omits to claim the benefit of the provisions therein contained, the defendant, notwithstanding that judgment has been given in the plaintiff's favour, shall have a right to repayment by the plaintiff of such sum as the plaintiff should not have recovered in virtue of the said provisions.
(2) Where, as a result of the failure to obtain satisfaction of any judgment in whole or in part from one wrongdoer, other concurrent wrongdoers are compelled to bear a larger part of the plaintiff's damage than they would otherwise have borne, or are compelled to pay a larger sum by way of contribution than they would otherwise have paid, they shall have a right of recoupment against such wrongdoer to the extent of the difference.
Maritime cases.
46.—(1) (a) Where, by the fault of two or more vessels, damage is caused to one or more of those vessels or to another vessel or to the cargo of any of those vessels or any property on board, and an action is brought for such damage, the liability of each vessel in respect of such damage shall be in proportion to the degree in which such vessel was in fault and accordingly there shall be no right of contribution in respect of such apportioned liability: provided that—
(i) if, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, it is not possible to establish different degrees of fault, the liability shall be apportioned equally among the vessels in fault;
(ii) nothing in this subsection shall affect the liability of any person under a contract of carriage or any contract, or shall be construed as imposing any liability upon any person from which he is exempted by any contract or by any provision of law, or as affecting the right of any person to limit his liability in the manner provided by law.
(b) For the purposes of paragraph (a) of this subsection the liability of a vessel for damage shall mean the liability of those responsible for the proper navigation and management of the vessel.
(c) Paragraph (a) of this subsection shall not apply to a claim for loss of life or personal injuries.
(2) Where, by the sole or concurrent fault of a vessel damage is caused to that or another vessel or to the cargo or any property on board either vessel, or loss of life or personal injury is suffered by any person on board either vessel, then, subject to subsection (3) of this section, no action shall be maintainable to enforce a claim for damages or lien in respect of such damage, loss of life or injury unless proceedings are commenced within two years from the date when such damage, loss of life or injury was caused; and an action shall not be maintainable to enforce any claim for contribution in respect of an overpaid proportion of any damages for loss of life or personal injuries unless proceedings are commenced within one year from the date of payment.
(3) Any court having jurisdiction to deal with an action to which subsection (2) of this section relates may, subject to any rules of court, extend the period referred to in that subsection to such extent and subject to such conditions as it thinks fit, and shall, if satisfied that there has not during such period been any reasonable opportunity of arresting the defendant vessel within the jurisdiction of the court or within the territorial waters of the country to which the plaintiff's vessel belongs or in which the plaintiff resides or has his principal place of business, extend any such period to an extent sufficient to give such reasonable opportunity.
(4) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, references to damage caused by the fault of a vessel shall be construed as including references to any salvage or other expenses, consequent upon that fault, recoverable at law by way of damages and such expenses shall be deemed to be a damage caused when they are incurred.
(5) The provisions of this section shall be applied in all cases heard and determined in any court having jurisdiction to deal with the case and in whatever waters the damage in question was caused or the salvage services or other expenses in question were rendered or incurred.
(6) This section shall be construed as one with the Merchant Shipping Acts, 1894 to 1952.
PART IV
Fatal Injuries
Definitions (Part IV).
47.—(1) In this Part—
“dependant”, in relation to a person whose death is caused by a wrongful act, means any member of the family of the deceased who suffers injury or mental distress;
“member of the family” means wife, husband, father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, stepfather, stepmother, son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, stepson, stepdaughter, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister;
“wrongful act” includes a crime.
(2) In deducing any relationship for the purposes of this Part—
(a) a person adopted under the Adoption Act, 1952, shall be considered the legitimate offspring of the adopter or adopters;
(b) subject to paragraph (a) of this subsection, an illegitimate person shall be considered the legitimate offspring of his mother and reputed father;
(c) a person in loco parentis to another shall be considered the parent of that other.
Action where death caused by wrongful act, neglect or default.
48.—(1) Where the death of a person is caused by the wrongful act of another such as would have entitled the party injured, but for his death, to maintain an action and recover damages in respect thereof, the person who would have been so liable shall be liable to an action for damages for the benefit of the dependants of the deceased.
(2) Only one action for damages may be brought against the same person in respect of the death.
(3) The action may be brought by the personal representative of the deceased or, if at the expiration of six months from the death there is no personal representative or no action has been brought by the personal representative, by all or any of the dependants.
(4) The action, by whomsoever brought, shall be for the benefit of all the dependants.
(5) The plaintiff shall furnish the defendant with particulars of the person or persons for whom and on whose behalf the action is brought and of the nature of the claim in respect of which damages are sought to be recovered.
(6) The action shall be commenced within three years after the death.
Damages.
49.—(1) (a) The damages under section 48 shall be—
(i) the total of such amounts (if any) as the jury or the judge, as the case may be, shall consider proportioned to the injury resulting from the death to each of the dependants, respectively, for whom or on whose behalf the action is brought, and
(ii) subject to paragraph (b) of this subsection, the total of such amounts (if any) as the judge shall consider reasonable compensation for mental distress resulting from the death to each of such dependants.
(b) The total of any amounts awarded by virtue of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (a) of this subsection shall not exceed one thousand pounds.
(c) Each amount awarded by virtue of paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be indicated separately in the award.
(d) Subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (a) of this subsection shall have effect only in respect of a death occurring within three years after the date of the passing of this Act.
(2) In addition, damages may be awarded in respect of funeral and other expenses actually incurred by the deceased, the dependants or the personal representative by reason of the wrongful act.
(3) It shall be sufficient for a defendant, in paying money into court in the action, to pay it in one sum as damages for all the dependants without apportioning it between them.
(4) The amount recovered in the action shall, after deducting the costs not recovered from the defendant, be divided among the persons entitled in such shares as may have been determined.
Sums not to be taken into account in assessing damages.
50.—In assessing damages under this Part account shall not be taken of—
(a) any sum payable on the death of the deceased under any contract of insurance,
(b) any pension, gratuity or other like benefit payable under statute or otherwise in consequence of the death of the deceased.
Adaptation of references to Fatal Accidents Acts, 1846 to 1908.
51.—A reference in any enactment to the Fatal Accidents Acts, 1846 to 1908, or to any of them shall be construed as a reference to this Part.
PART V
Amendments of the Workmen's Compensation Acts, 1934 to 1955
Definitions (Part V).
52.—In this Part—
“the Act of 1934” means the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1934;
“the Act of 1953” means the Workmen's Compensation (Amendment) Act, 1953;
“employer” and “workman” have the same meaning as in the Workmen's Compensation Acts, 1934 to 1955.
Amendments of section 60 of the Act of 1934.
53.—(1) In this section “section 60” means section 60 of the Act of 1934.
(2) Section 60 is hereby amended by the insertion therein, after subsection (3), of the following new subsection—
“(3A) Where—
(a) within the time limited by this Act for taking proceedings under this Act, an action is instituted to recover damages independently of this Act in respect of an injury or disease or a death giving rise to a claim for compensation under this Act, and
(b) it is determined in the action that—
(i) damages are recoverable independently of this Act subject to such reduction as is mentioned in subsection (1) of section 34 of the Civil Liability Act, 1961, and
(ii) the employer would have been liable to pay compensation under this Act,
the plaintiff may apply to the court in which the action is tried or, if the determination is the determination (on appeal by either party) of an appellate tribunal, to that appellate tribunal to assess and award such compensation, and if he does so the following provisions shall apply—
(I) that court or appellate tribunal (as the case may be) shall proceed to assess such compensation, but may deduct therefrom all or any of the costs which in its judgment have been caused by the plaintiff bringing the action instead of proceedings under this Act,
(II) no damages shall be recovered in the action.”
(3) In subsection (4) of section 60, “subsection (3) or subsection (3A) of this section” shall be substituted for “the foregoing subsection”.
(4) In subsection (5) of section 60, “or (3A)” shall be inserted after “subsection (3)”.
(5) Section 60 is hereby amended by the insertion therein after subsection (5) of the following new subsection—
“(5A) Subsection (3A) of this section shall apply with the necessary adaptations in any case where compensation is recoverable under a scheme certified or made under this Act, if the scheme applies this section or contains any provision similar thereto.”
(6) In subsection (6) of section 60 (being the subsection added to that section by section 6 of the Act of 1953) the reference to damages shall be construed as including a reference to damages subject to such reduction as is mentioned in subsection (1) of section 34.
(7) The amendments effected by the preceding subsections of this section shall not apply to any case where the accident giving rise to the claim happened before the date of the passing of this Act.
Amendment of section 61 of the Act of 1934.
54.—(1) Where a workman or his personal representative or his dependant or other person has recovered compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Acts, 1934 to 1955, or under any scheme certified under the Act of 1934 in respect of an injury caused in circumstances which would give a right to recover reduced damages in respect thereof by virtue of subsection (1) of section 34 from some person other than the employer (in this subsection referred to as the third party), any right conferred by section 61 of the Act of 1934, on the person by whom the compensation was paid or on any person called upon to pay an indemnity under section 19 of the Act of 1934, to be indemnified by the third party shall be limited to a right to be indemnified in respect of such part only of the sum so paid or payable by the said person as bears to the total of the sum so paid or payable the same proportion as the said reduced damages bears to the total damages which would have been recoverable if the workman had not been negligent.
(2) In subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (aa) of section 61 of the Act of 1934 (being the paragraph added to that section by section 7 of the Act of 1953), the reference to damages shall be construed as including a reference to damages subject to such reduction as is mentioned in subsection (1) of section 34.
(3) The amendments effected by the preceding subsections of this section shall not apply to any case where the accident happened before the date of the passing of this Act.
PART VI
Amendment of the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1936
Re-enactment, with amendments, of section 18 of the Act of 1936.
55.—The following section shall be substituted for section 18 of the Act of 1936—
“Liability of carrier in the event of the death of a passenger.
18.—(1) (a) In this section—
‘dependant’, in relation to a passenger in respect of whose death a liability is imposed on a carrier by Article 17 of the First Schedule to this Act, means any member of the family of the deceased who suffers injury or mental distress;
‘member of the family’ means wife, husband, father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, stepfather, stepmother, son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, stepson, stepdaughter, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister.
(b) In deducing any relationship for the purposes of this section—
(i) a person adopted under the Adoption Act, 1952, shall be considered the legitimate offspring of the adopter or adopters;
(ii) subject to subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, an illegitimate person shall be considered the legitimate offspring of his mother and reputed father;
(iii) a person in loco parentis to another shall be considered the parent of that other.
(2) Any liability to pay damages imposed by Article 17 of the First Schedule to this Act on a carrier in respect of the death of a passenger shall be in substitution for any liability of the carrier in respect of the death of that passenger under any statute (including Part IV of the Civil Liability Act, 1961) or at common law, and the following provisions shall have effect in relation to the action to enforce the liability so imposed—
(a) the liability shall be enforceable for the benefit of the dependants of the passenger;
(b) only one action for damages may be brought in the State against the same person in respect of the death;
(c) the action may be brought by the personal representative of the passenger or, if at the expiration of six months from the death there is no personal representative or no action has been brought by the personal representative, by all or any of the dependants;
(d) the action, by whomsoever brought, shall be for the benefit of all the dependants who are either resident in the State or, not being resident there, express a desire to take the benefit of the action;
(e) the plaintiff shall furnish the defendant with particulars of the persons for whom and on whose behalf the action is brought;
(f) subject to paragraph (n) of this subsection—
(i) the damages shall be the total of such amounts (if any) as the jury or the judge, as the case may be, shall consider proportioned to the injury resulting from the death to each of the dependants, respectively, for whom or on whose behalf the action is brought, and
(ii) subject to paragraph (g) of this subsection, the total of such amounts (if any) as the judge shall consider reasonable compensation for mental distress resulting from the death to each of such dependants;
(g) the total of any amounts awarded by virtue of subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (f) of this subsection shall not exceed one thousand pounds;
(h) each amount awarded by virtue of paragraph (f) of this subsection shall be indicated separately in the award;
(i) subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (f) of this subsection shall have effect only in respect of a death occurring within three years after the date of the passing of the Civil Liability Act, 1961;
(j) in addition, damages may be awarded in respect of funeral and other expenses actually incurred by the passenger, the dependants or the personal representative as a result of the accident which caused the death of the passenger;
(k) it shall be sufficient for the defendant in paying money into court in the action to pay it in one sum as damages for all the dependants without apportioning it between them;
(l) the amount recovered in the action shall, after deducting the costs not recovered from the defendant, be divided among the persons entitled in such shares as the jury or the judge, as the case may be, may have determined;
(m) in assessing the damages account shall not be taken of any sum payable on the death of the passenger under any contract of insurance, or of any pension, gratuity or other like benefit payable under statute or otherwise in consequence of the death of the deceased;
(n) the court before which the action is brought may at any stage of the proceedings make such order as appears to the court to be just and equitable in view of the provisions of the First Schedule to this Act limiting the liability of the carrier and of any proceedings which have, or are likely to be, commenced outside the State in respect of the death of the passenger.”
PART VII
Miscellaneous
Abolition of last opportunity rule.
56.—For the purposes of subsection (1) of section 34 and subsection (1) of section 46, the fact that any person—
(a) had an opportunity of avoiding the consequences of the act of any other person but negligently or carelessly failed to do so, or
(b) might have avoided those consequences by the exercise of care, or
(c) might have avoided those consequences but for previous negligence or want of care on his part,
shall not, by itself, be a ground for holding that the damage was not caused by the act of such other person.
Abolition of defences.
57.—(1) It shall not be a defence in an action of tort merely to show that the plaintiff is in breach of the civil or criminal law.
(2) It shall not be a defence in an action for breach of statutory duty merely to show that the defendant delegated the performance of the duty to the plaintiff.
Wrongs to unborn child.
58.—For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that the law relating to wrongs shall apply to an unborn child for his protection in like manner as if the child were born, provided the child is subsequently born alive.
Liability of Minister for Finance for negligent use of mechanically propelled vehicle.
59.—(1) Where a wrong is committed by the use of a mechanically propelled vehicle belonging to the State, the Minister for Finance shall be liable to an action for damages in respect of damage resulting from the wrong in like manner as if the Minister for Finance were the owner of the vehicle, and the person using the vehicle shall, for the purposes of such liability, be deemed to be the servant of the Minister for Finance in so far as such person was acting in the course of his duty or employment.
(2) Proceedings may be brought against the Minister for Finance by virtue of this section without obtaining the fiat of the Attorney General.
(3) Nothing in this section shall operate to relieve any person from liability in respect of damage resulting from his own wrong.
(4) For the purposes of this section, a mechanically propelled vehicle not belonging to the State shall—
(a) while being used when it is under seizure by a person in the service of the State in the course of his duty or employment, or
(b) while being used by a member of the Garda Síochána or an officer of any Minister for the purpose of a test, removal or disposition of the vehicle pursuant to the Road Traffic Act, 1961, or any regulation thereunder,
be deemed to belong to the State.
(5) In this section—
“mechanically propelled vehicle” means a vehicle intended or adapted for propulsion by mechanical means, including—
(a) a bicycle or tricycle, with an attachment for propelling it by mechanical power, whether or not the attachment is being used,
(b) a vehicle the means of propulsion of which is electrical or partly electrical and partly mechanical;
“use” includes keeping or leaving stationary.
Liability of road authority for failure to maintain public road.
60.—(1) A road authority shall be liable for damage caused as a result of their failure to maintain adequately a public road.
(2) In proceedings under this section, it shall be a defence for the road authority to prove that—
(a) they had given sufficient warning that the road was a danger to traffic, or
(b) they had taken reasonable precautions to secure that the road was not a danger to traffic, or
(c) they had not a reasonable opportunity to give such warning or take such precautions, or
(d) the damage resulted from a wrong committed by any person other than the road authority.
(3) In determining whether a road was adequately maintained, regard shall be had in particular to—
(a) the construction of the road and the standard of maintenance appropriate to a road of such construction,
(b) the traffic using the road,
(c) the condition in which a reasonable person would have expected to find the road.
(4) In determining whether a road authority had a reasonable opportunity to give warning that a road was a danger to traffic or had taken reasonable precautions to secure that a road was not such a danger, regard shall be had to the standard of supervision reasonable for a road of such character.
(5) In this section—
“road authority” means the council of a county, the corporation of a county or other borough and the council of an urban district;
“public road” means a road the responsibility for the maintenance of which lies on a road authority and includes any bridge, pipe, arch, gulley, footway, pavement, fence, railing or wall which forms part of such road and which it is the responsibility of the road authority to maintain.
(6) This section shall not apply to damage arising from an event which occurred before the coming into operation of this section.
(7) This section shall come into operation on such day, not earlier than the 1st day of April, 1967, as may be fixed therefor by order made by the Government.
Proof of claims for damages or contribution in bankruptcy.
61.—(1) Notwithstanding any other enactment or any rule of law, a claim for damages or contribution in respect of a wrong shall be provable in bankruptcy where the wrong out of which the liability to damages or the right to contribution arose was committed before the time of the bankruptcy.
(2) Where the damages or contribution have not been and cannot be otherwise liquidated or ascertained, the court may make such order as to it seems fit for the assessment of the damages or contribution, and the amount when so assessed shall be provable as if it were a debt due at the time of the bankruptcy.
(3) Where a claim for contribution or in respect of a judgment debt for contribution is provable in bankruptcy, no such proof shall be admitted except to the extent that the claimant has satisfied the debt or damages of the injured person, unless the injured person does not prove in respect of the wrong or debt.
Application of moneys payable under certain policies of insurance.
62.—Where a person (hereinafter referred to as the insured) who has effected a policy of insurance in respect of liability for a wrong, if an individual, becomes a bankrupt or dies or, if a corporate body, is wound up or, if a partnership or other unincorporated association, is dissolved, moneys payable to the insured under the policy shall be applicable only to discharging in full all valid claims against the insured in respect of which those moneys are payable, and no part of those moneys shall be assets of the insured or applicable to the payment of the debts (other than those claims) of the insured in the bankruptcy or in the administration of the estate of the insured or in the winding-up or dissolution, and no such claim shall be provable in the bankruptcy, administration, winding-up or dissolution.
Costs in certain actions in which the plaintiff is an infant.
63.—(1) Where a sum of money has been lodged in court by the defendant in an action for a wrong in which the plaintiff is an infant, an application may be made to the judge by the plaintiff to decide whether that sum of money should be accepted or the action should go to trial and—
(a) if, on any such application, the judge decides that the action should go to trial, and
(b) an amount by way of damages is awarded to the plaintiff which does not exceed the sum so lodged,
then, notwithstanding any rule of court or practice to the contrary, the costs in the action shall be at the discretion of the judge.
(2) An appeal shall lie from the order of the judge in relation to the costs in such action.
SCHEDULE
Enactments Repealed
Part I
Acts of the Parliament of England applied to Ireland by the Act of the Parliament of Ireland (10 Henry 7. c. 22 (Ir.)) passed in the year 1495 and entitled “An Act confirming all Statutes made in England”
Session and Chapter | Title | Extent of Repeal |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
13 Edw. 1 (Stat. Westm. sec.). c. 23. | Writ of accompt for executors (1285). | The whole chapter. |
4 Edw. 3. c. 7. | Executors shall have an action of trespass for a wrong done to their testator (1330). | The whole chapter. |
Part II
Act of the Parliament of Ireland
Session and Chapter | Title | Extent of Repeal |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
10 Chas. 1. sess. 2. c. 5 (Ir.). | An Act for the recovery of arrearages of rents by executors of tenant in fee simple (1634). | The whole Act so far as unrepealed. |
Part III
Acts of the Parliament of the late United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Session and Chapter | Short Title | Extent of Repeal |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
3 & 4 Vic. c. 105. | Debtors (Ireland) Act, 1840. | Section 31. |
51 & 52 Vic. c. 64. | Law of Libel Amendment Act, 1888. | Section 5. |
1 & 2 Geo. 5. c. 57. | Maritime Conventions Act, 1911. | Sections 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9. |
Part IV
Act of the Oireachtas of Saorstat Éireann
Number and Year | Short Title | Extent of Repeal |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
No. 40 of 1936. | Section 23. |
Part V
Acts of the Oireachtas
Number and Year | Short Title | Extent of Repeal |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
No. 1 of 1951. | Tortfeasors Act, 1951. | The whole Act. |
No. 3 of 1956. | Fatal Injuries Act, 1956. | The whole Act. |
No. 6 of 1957. | Subsection (3) of section 2, and subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (e) of subsection (1) and subsection (3) of section 11. | |
No. 1 of 1959. | Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1959. | Section 4. |
No. 24 of 1961. | Road Traffic Act, 1961. | Subsection (4) of section 76 and sections 116 and 117. |