Modern Trends in Tort Law, Dutch and Japanese Law Compared

This work contains the proceedings of the Second Conference on Dutch-Japanese Law, which took place at the University of Utrecht in August 1996. The doctrine of tort law was chosen as the central theme for this Conference. The meaning of tort law has been extended to such a degree that socially accepted responsibilities are attributed to specifically determined natural and legal persons. This book elaborates on various modern trends in tort law, such as: Medical Liability Traffic Liability Product Liability Environmental Liability. A comparison with the Japanese legal system provides interesting insights into this particular issue, because the Japanese system is of a dualistic nature. Besides being based on a strong legalistic tradition, there is also the widespread tradition of socially accepted custom. By studying the development of the law in both Japan and the Netherlands, existing links are strengthened and new contacts between Dutch and Japanese academic lawyers are established.