Preface To the First Edition

• Author: Philip H. Osborne
• Profession: Faculty of Law. The University of Manitoba
• Pages: 19-20

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PREFACE

To the First Edition

This book has been written primarily to assist students i n Canadian

law schools to understand the essential principles of the Can adian law

of torts and the social policies that support them. It does not seek to

categorize and organi ze the multitude of Can adian tort cases. It does

not explore the subtleties of exceptional c ases. It does not delve into

f‌ine distinctions among relevant provincial statutes. It explains the

basic fr amework and nature of Canad ian tort law from which a more

advanced study of the law may proceed.

I am mindful of the fact that in most Canadi an law schools the law

of torts is a f‌irst-year course. I have, therefore, tried to make the law ac-

cessible to someone coming to the subject for the f‌irst time. I have also

included an extensive glossary. A happy consequence of this is that the

book may h ave some appeal to members of the public who seek some

understanding of this fascinating corner of Canadian law. I also hope

that the book will hold some interest for members of the practising bar,

if only as a reminder of the basic principles underlying judicial policies

and current trends.

My attempt to f‌ind the path of reliable generality through the thick-

et of tort cases and legislation has been assi sted by the works of all the

writers on Canadian tort law who have gone before me. I am indebted

to them all.

I am most appreciative of the support I received from the Legal Re-

search Institute of the University of Manitoba and its director, Profes-

sor Alvin Es au. This allowed me to benef‌it f rom the f‌ine work done by