January 22, 2019
Torts: Second Assignment
Due Date: Monday, April 1, at 10 am (to be submitted by email to the Records Office,
under your student number)
I. Write an essay of no longer than 3500 words on ONE of the following topics (feel free
to restrict your treatment to a particular aspect of the topic that you choose):
1. Causal Uncertainty
2. Liability for Negligently Caused Economic Loss
3. Liability for Involuntary Parenthood
4. Vicarious Liability for Sexual Abuse
5. Negligence of Public Authorities
Include a word count on the title page of your paper.
Your essay should state the central legal issue (or issues) that the topic raises, refer to the
different ways in which courts have dealt or might deal with them, and suggest the best
solution to the legal problem that your topic raises.
This is an exercise in both legal analysis and legal writing. Effectiveness of expression is
no less valued than profundity of thought. In reading your essay, I will be particularly
attentive to the clarity of your exposition, your familiarity with the relevant literature, and
the critical acumen and insight displayed by the essay.
II. Attach to your paper a lightly annotated bibliography of your chosen topic. This
bibliography should include between 10 and 20 items, and should include cases from any
common law jurisdiction and academic articles in the periodical literature, as well as
books or book chapters if any are relevant. For purposes of this part of the assignment,
these items may not include cases excerpted or summarized in the casebook or material
listed in the Supplementary Reading at the end of each casebook chapter. Each item
should be accompanied by an annotation of no more than 15 words indicating why you
think that the item was significant or noteworthy. This bibliography does not count
toward your word count.
Throughout this assignment, all citations must be in proper form.