Alcock and Psychiatric Harm.
Alcock significantly impacted the development of tort law concerning claims for emotional
distress. Relevant cases include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
McLoughlin v O’Brian [1983]
Page v Smith [1996]
White v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police [1999]
Taylor v Novo [2013]
A Explain the importance of the cases above.
B How has the definition of ‘proximity’ evolved in tort law since Alcock?
C What are the current challenges in litigating claims for psychiatric harm based on
witnessing events through media?
D How do modern courts balance the rights of victims against potential abuses of
psychiatric harm claims?