LAW1113 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: League Against Cruel Sports, Implied License, Exxon
LAW1113&TORTS&-&CASE&SUMMARIES&AND&KEY&POINTS&
TRESPASS&TO&LAND&
• Voluntary*and*positive*act*of*the*D*that*directly*and*intentionally*or*negligently*interferes*with*the*P’s*
exclusive*possession*of*land.**
Case&
Details&
Value&in&the&tort&of&trespass&to&land&(NSW$v$Ibbett)&
Ø Use:*To*highlight*that*the*purpose*of*the*trespass*to*land*Tort*is*to:*
o Protect*interests*in*land*
o Prevent*unlawful*invasions*of*privacy*
o Settle*disputes*over*entitlement*to*land*
!
Nature&of&the&interference&
Case&
Details&
Lavender$v$Betts$
Ø Use:&To*demonstrate*that*crossing*the*boundary*is*a*trespassory*act*
Ø Test:*Did*the*act*involve*the*slightest*physical*crossing*of*the*boundary?*
League$Against$Cruel$Sports$v$Scott&
Ø Use:&To*demonstrate*that*the*interference*needs*to*be*either*intentional*or*careless*
Ø Test:*Was*the*interference*may*be*either*intentional*or*careless?*
Ø Possible&interferences&include:&
1. Entering*onto*land*
2. Directly*placing*or*leaving*objects*on*land*
3. Causing*objects*to*make*contact*even*though*the*D*doesn’t*touch*the*land*
4. Removing*things*from*the*land*
5. Remaining,*or*causing*objects*to*remain,*on*land*
*
Continuing&Trespass&&&
Case&
Details&
Konskier$v$Goodman$
Ø Use:&To*show*the*existence*of*a*continuing*trespass&
Ø Test:&Having*committed*the*initial*trespass,*did*the*person*or*object*giving*rise*to*the*trespass*continues*
to*remain*on*the*land?&
*
What&is&Land?&
• Blackstone:*not*only*the*surface*of*the*land,*but*fixtures*(e.g.*building,*fences),*anything*growing*on*the*
surface*of*the*land*(e.g.*trees,*grasses)**the*ground*beneath*the*land,*and*the*airspace*above*the*land*
• Above*surface*(i.e.*airspace)**
• Below*surface*(i.e.*underground)**
*
Above$surface$(airspace)$
Case&
Details&
Bernstein$v$Skyviews:$$
Ø Use:*To*limit*the*scope*of*enjoyment*of*land*(height)*
Ø Test:&Does*the*trespass*extend*to*such*heights*as*is*necessary*for*the*ordinary*use*and*enjoyment*of*his*
land*and*the*structures*on*it?*
LJP$Investments$Pty$Ltd$v$Howard$Chia$
Ø Use:*To*limit*the*scope*of*enjoyment*of*land*(interference*of*land)$
Ø Test:&‘the*relevant*test*is*not*whether*the*incursion*actually*interferes*with*the*occupier’s*actual*use*of*
land*at*the*time,*but*rather*whether*it*is*of*a*nature*and*at*a*height*which*may*interfere*with*any*
ordinary*uses*of*the*land*which*the*occupier*may*see*fit*to*undertake.’$
*
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