Written to be accessible to all readers with a basic knowledge of tort law, this text sets out a theoretical analysis of the law of tort, in which the subject is reconceived as a system of ethical rules and principles of personal responsibility. As such it can be viewed as a series of relationships between protected interests, sanctioned conduct and sanctions - these are the ""building blocks"" of tort law.;Beyond affording a means of comprehending the fragmentary nature of tort law, the book also seeks to develop an understanding of its relationship with the other areas of the law of obligations. It provides a clearer understanding of the relationship between common law and statutory torts, and illuminates the link between tort law and its functions. In doing so, the book raises important issues about the nature and uses of legal classifications and the ""problem"" of concurrent actions.