Study On Commonness Of Joint Torts

"Commonness" is the essential attribute and the most important requirement of joint torts. There are a lot of debates on "commonness" with the implementation of Tort Liability Law in China. In theoretical research, "commonness" is involved with complicated issues such as fault and causal relationships, and is related to social policy and value judgment, so there have been substantive problems to be addressed. In China different laws have different rules about connotations of "commonness" in joint torts, and there is huge space in discussing cohesion between different provisions. Therefore we need to distinguish between academic disputes and choose appropriate judicial guidance that is suited to China's judicial practice.In joint torts system there exist problems with interests balancing and value judgment between the tort party and the injured party. Different readings about "commonness" lead to different judgments on the scope of joint torts in judicial practices. This will ruin the unity of law application.This thesis begins with value orientation and historical development of joint torts system, and concludes that the system is consistent with social change and law evolution. This gives some thoughts for legislative explanation for Mainland China's joint torts system. This thesis also points out the theory of joint association should be adopted to explain the essential attribute of joint torts. This theory gives logical and appropriate explanation, conforming to China's legal system and national conditions, for the long-term debates in academic circle. This thesis, in the context of joint association theory, constructs basic types of joint torts system, analyzes constitutive requirements of joint torts system, interprets requirements of "commonness" with omni-directional explanation and concrete analysis, clears up confusions, and provides some thoughts for addressing problems related to joint torts in China's existing legislative framework.