Articles

Preventing further harm to the harmed

Gabrielle Lis and Dr Mary Wyatt

Etymology - the archaeology of words - sometimes uncovers a contemporary resonance in ancient digs.

In Australia and elsewhere, for example, the word “tort” now refers to a civil wrong, other than a breach of contract, for which a plaintiff may claim compensation if they are able to prove that they have been wronged. In fact, “tort” is a French word, meaning “wrong”, derived from the Latin word “torquere” meaning “turn, twist, wring, distort”. Although tort law still plays an importan...

Continue reading... Login >>

Not a subscriber? Find out more >>

Published 11 July, 2010 | Updated 27 September, 2022