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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TORT AND CRIME

1.         INTRODUCTION OF TORT:
Tort is the breach of a civil duty and damage resulting from the breach of duty which is of such character as to afford a right of redress at law. The term tort has been held to mean a private wrong that is violation of civil rights belonging to individuals, considered as individuals.

2.         Meaning:
            The word tort is derived from is derived from Latin word “tortun” which means to twist, to turn, to disort.

3.         Definition:
“Tort is a civil wrong for which the remedy is a common law action unliquidated damages and which is not exclusively the breach of a trust or other remedy equitable obligation.

 4.       Crime:
Crime is committed in violation of public law forbidding or commanding it.

 5.       Differences between tort and crime:

(i)       Rights Protected:
Tort protects private rights whereas criminal law protects public rights of the general public.

(ii)      Remedies:
A crime is a wrong for which the common law remedy is punishment. In tort, the remedy is an action for liquidated damages.

(iii)     Presence of intention:
Intention is not required for the commission of tort. On the other hand intention is always relevant in criminal act.

(iv)     Parties:
Criminal proceedings are brought by authorised body whereas every suit arising out of tortious liability is instituted by private person.

(v)      Necessity a Defence:
In tort necessity is a defence while in crime necessity is not a defence.

(vi)     Proceeding:
In law of tort proceeding are conducted by injured person while in criminal law proceeding are conducted by the state.

(vii)    Compromise:
In tort compromise is permissible while in criminal law compromise is not permissible.

(viii)   Codification:
Criminal law is codified in the form of Pakistan Penal Code while law of tort is not codified.

(ix)     Position of minor:
In tort a person under seven year is tortiuously liable while in criminal law a person under seven year is not liable.

(x)     Application of Limitation Act, 1908:
Limitation Act applies to tort but not to crime. 


For more chick here  Studies of Law