Torts Without Tears

Mr. G was my Torts and Land law lecturer. I looked forward to his lectures because I would have had a good laugh by the end of his lecture. Before the test, he’d referenced Torts Without Tears, a test to test our pulse. It was for you to know if you were ready for the final exam.

I still remember the story about his eagle pet; Asaase. Till date, I am not sure whether it was a true story or it was one of those he told to keep us interested in the lecture. For what it’s worth, after listening to the Asaase story, I knew he had the attention of the whole class. Asaase died because his house boys fed it frozen meat instead of fresh meat everyday in his absence. What a negligent way to die.

After taking Torts Without Tears, I knew I had to step up my game so I wouldn’t cry after my end of semester Torts paper. Torts would not have me in tears.

Torts law is a branch of law that deals with private/civil wrongs, and generally provides compensation to the injured person.

So the other day, I was randomly thinking about heartbreak. While torts law provides compensation for emotional distress like that caused to a mother when the negligent actions of another caused the death of her child, it generally does not provide for romantic heartbreak.

Your best bet is compensation for breach of promise to marry, but that’s under family law. No promise to marry, and you will not see any compensation. Even that is not guaranteed.

So there’s no compensation for heartbreak, that I know for Ghana. At best, it was a risky emotional investment. Thinking about Torts and heartbreak, the only answer I could probably give if you ever wanted compensation when your unmarried significant other broke your heart is volenti non fit injuria.

Hearing it in Mr. G’s voice even makes it all the more interesting. Next time, when venturing on an emotional adventure, remember that to a willing person, no injury is done.

Don’t take this as legal/emotional advice. It’s a connection between academic and romantic disciplines.

With restful wander, The Yellow Butterfly.