The book explores the relationship between fundamental rights and private law in Europe, a debate usually referred to as Drittwirkung or 'horizontal effect of fundamental rights'. The work focuses on the field of tort law and looks, in particular, at the legal position of the tortfeasor. Part I of the book is dedicated to exploring the different possible models of Drittwirkung, the functions and evolution of tort law, and the particular impact that fundamental rights may have in shaping the legal consequences that may derive to tortfeasors from their tortious acts. Part II focuses on the relationship between children's tortious liability and their fundamental rights in a number of jurisdictions including France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, and England and Wales. The book goes on to consider policy implications and advances proposals which would ensure the optimisation and maximisation of the scope of fundamental rights in the field of tort law.

Autorentext

Nuno Ferreira is Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Liverpool, UK.

Zusammenfassung
The book explores, from a comparative and inter-disciplinary perspective, the relationship between fundamental rights and private law in Europe, a debate usually referred to as Drittwirkung or 'horizontal effect of fundamental rights'. It discusses the different models of 'horizontal effect' and the impact that fundamental rights may have in shaping tort law, especially the position of child tortfeasors. The book concentrates on several European jurisdictions, namely France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, and England and Wales. At a crossroad between human rights and European private law, this study draws insights from several legal fields (international, European, tort, constitutional and child law), sociology, psychology, and feminist studies. It also considers policy implications and advances proposals which would ensure the optimisation of the effect, and maximisation of the effectiveness, of fundamental rights in tort law, and more generally in private law. This book departs from traditional legal doctrines and offers a more pragmatic, comprehensive and just legal analysis of the role of fundamental rights in private law. It will be of interest to undergraduate and postgraduate students, academics, practitioners, policy-makers and activists with an interest in human rights, tort law, comparative law, children's rights and European private law.

Inhalt

Introduction Part I 1.The Horizontal Effect of Fundamental Rights: Theories and Models 2. Tort Law: Aims, Functions and Evolution 3. The Horizontal Effect of Fundamental Rights and Tort Law: What about the Tortfeasor? Part II 4. The Fundamental Rights of Children: International, European and National Perspectives 5. Children's Torts: European National Legal Solutions 6. Children's Tortious Liability in Europe: Comparison, Critique and Proposals. Conclusion