Judiciary-Poetry-Logo
JPoetry

MEANING OF NEGLIGENCE

Dictum

Negligence is the omission or failure to do something which a reasonable man under similar circumstances can do, or the doing of something which a reasonable or prudent man would not do. More often than not, Negligence in civil matters occur in form of a breach of duty to take care.

— O. Oyewumi, J. Aseidu v Japaul (2019) – NICN/AK/01/2016

Was this dictum helpful?

SHARE ON

NEGLIGENCE ARISE WHEN A LEGAL DUTY OWED BY TO THE PLAINTIFF IS BREACHED

LUFTHANSA GERMAN AIRLINES v. BALLANYE, 2013 1 NWLR (PT. 1336) 527, The Supreme Court Per Kalgo J.S.C. had this to say: “The general principle is that the tort of negligence arises when a legal duty owed by the defendant to the plaintiff is breached and to succeed in an action for negligence the plaintiff must...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

NEGLIGENCE IS A MATTER OF FACT, NOT LAW

This position of the law is inevitable because what amounts to negligence is not law but a question of fact which must be decided according to the facts and circumstances of a particular case. See: KALLZA v. JAMAKANI TRANSPORT LTD. (1961) ALL NLR 747; NGILARI V. MOTHERCAT LIMITED (1999) LPELR SC; (1999) 13 NWLR (PT....

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

WHAT IS NEGLIGENCE?

The Supreme Court in the case of HAMZA V. KURE (2010) LPELR-1351(SC) (P. 14, paras. E-G) Per Mohammad J.S.C., defined negligence thus: “As far back as 1856, Lord Alderson B., defined negligence to be the omission to do something which a reasonable man, guided upon those considerations which ordinarily regulate the conduct of human affairs,...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

ONUS OF PROVING NEGLIGENCE IS ON THE CLAIMANT

The onus of proving negligence is on the claimant who alleges it and unless and until that is proved, the onus of proof does not shift. In other words, where a claimant pleads and relies on negligence by conduct or action of a defendant, the claimant must prove by evidence the conduct or action and...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

PARTICULARS OF NEGLIGENCE AND FRAUD MUST BE PROVIDED

It is settled law that in an action on negligence, the party suing must give particulars of the alleged negligence and to recover on the negligence pleaded in those particulars, see Spasco Vehicle v. Alraine (supra); Koya v.UBA Ltd. (1997) 1 NWLR (Pt. 481) 251; Machine Umudje v. SPDC(Nig.) Ltd. (1975) 9-11 SC 155; Diamond Bank...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

PLAINTIFF MUST PLEAD THE PARTICULARS OF NEGLIGENCE TO SUCCEED

To succeed in an action for negligence, the law is settled as to the standard of pleading and proof required. As a matter of law therefore; a plaintiff who intends to be victorious in negligence action must plead the particulars of negligence alleged and give cogent and credible evidence at the trial in line with...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here
No more related dictum to show.