Vicarious Liability

What is Vicarious Liability in Tort Law?

Quick Definition

Vicarious liability is a legal principle where one party is held liable for the wrongful actions of another, typically in an employer-employee relationship. It allows a claimant to seek compensation from an employer for the negligent acts of their employees carried out in the course of employment.

In Context

Vicarious liability is often seen in workplace scenarios where an employee's actions cause harm to a third party. For example, if a delivery driver negligently causes an accident while on duty, the employer may be held liable. A key case is Lister v Hesley Hall Ltd (2001), which expanded the scope of vicarious liability to include acts closely connected to employment. In exams, students might analyse whether an employee's actions fall within the scope of their employment and thus attract vicarious liability.

See Also

• Negligence

• Duty of Care

• Occupiers' Liability

Learn More

Explore our Tort Law Notes for deeper case law, examples, and revision tips.