Occupier's Liability after See Toh: Change, Uncertainty and Complexity

Publication Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

12-2013

Abstract

With the recent Court of Appeal decision in See Toh (C.A.), the Singapore law on occupiers' liability has undergone a sea change. There are two obvious changes. The first is that there is no longer a distinction between invitees and licensees; the law accords them the same protection. The second is that occupiers' liability is no longer a separate tort; it is now subsumed under the tort of negligence. However, the full implications of See Toh (C.A.) are more far-reaching and profound than a casual reading of this landmark decision might suggest. The SeeToh (C.A.) decision potentially upgrades the protection and rights of unlawful entrants. The Gordian knot of common law occupiers' liability has indeed been cut; but as Singapore courts set out to conquer this legal realm, with all its problems and complexities, it would be naive to expect the ride to be a smooth and easy one.

Keywords

Liability, trespassing, Court of appeals, Singapore

Discipline

Asian Studies | Commercial Law | Courts

Publication

Singapore Journal of Legal Studies

Volume

2013

First Page

457

Last Page

471

ISSN

0218-2173

Publisher

National University of Singapore

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