Tort Liability in Warfare : States' Wrongs and Civilians' Rights

Abstract

Tort Liability in Warfare: States’ Wrongs and Civilians’ Rights develops a novel account of the tortious liability of states for wrongs they inflict on civilians during combat. Tort Liability in Warfare challenges orthodoxy by illustrating that ordinary domestic tort law doctrines could apply, as private law rights remain relevant during warfare and their wrongful violation triggers ordinary corrective justice duties. The book asserts that barring tort remedies for losses inflicted during warfare is not necessitated by theory or doctrine but is driven by policy considerations. Tort Liability in Warfare demonstrates that these policy considerations fail to provide adequate justifications for states’ near blanket immunity from tort liability in warfare, and calls for enabling civilians to turn to tort law as a mechanism for accountability and vindication of their rights.