Volenti Non Fit Injuria – A Critical Analysis

  • Neha Astha
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  • Neha Astha

    Student at CMR University, School of Legal Studies, Bengaluru, India.

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Abstract

The term "tort" comes from the Latin word "tortum," which literally means "to twist." It refers to twisted, deformed, or illegal behaviour, as well as behaviour that is not straight. The tort law that is currently used in India is based on English law that has been adapted to Indian situations and amended by Indian legislative acts. Its beginnings may be traced back to the creation of British courts in India. The harm that is caused willingly does not establish a legal injury and therefore is not actionable. This notion is encapsulated in the maxim volenti non fit injuria, which directly translates to "anything which a man consents to cannot be reported of as an injury." The theory is only applicable to the risk that a reasonable person would have accepted as a result of his or her activities. Voluntary harm does not create a legal injury and is thus not actionable. A right that has been freely relinquished cannot be enforced. In this paper, the researcher will be discussing the application of maxim at different places during covid – 19. Furthermore, it also emphasises the various elements of this maxim, its limitations, and its impact on laws with different interpretations through each case law. In tort law, the defence of volenti non-fit injuria is one that has a restricted scope. At times, the defendant's carelessness may preclude the employment of the defence of volenti non-fit injuria. Other times, the extent of the defence is constrained by other limits outlined earlier in the article. Lastly, this paper suggests the wider clarification on the assent of knowledge in this maxim.

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Research Paper

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International Journal of Law Management and Humanities, Volume 5, Issue 4, Page 184 - 189

DOI: https://doij.org/10.10000/IJLMH.113328

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