THE LAW OF NUISANCE IN CANADA

Transcription

1 THE LAW OF NUISANCE IN CANADA Gregory S. Pun, B.A., LL.B. Of the Ontario Bar, Of the British Columbia Bar Margaret I. Hall, LL.B., LL.M. Of the British Columbia Bar LexisNexis*

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Dedication Foreword Preface and Acknowledgements v vii ix Chapter I. Introduction to Nuisance by Gregory S. Pun and Margaret I. Hall 1 A. Vilification and Vindication 1 B. Nuisance and Negligence: Fault, Foreseeability, Reasonableness and Causation 5 C. Nuisance and Trespass: Damage, Indirectness and Continuity..11 D. Statutory Nuisances and Remedies 15 E. History of Nuisance (by Christopher Harvey, Q.C., Ph.D.) Nuisance at the Dawn of Legal History Nuisance Migrates Into the Royal Courts Nuisances Fuelled by Sea Coal Nuisance Law and the Industrial Revolution...25 Chapter II. Public Nuisance by Gregory S. Pun, 33 A. Scope and Meaning of Public Nuisance Relationship of Public Nuisance and Private Nuisance Definition of Public Nuisance 34 B. Interference with Public Rights 36 C. The Balance of Reasonableness 41 D. Element of "Special Damage" The Attorney General and the Relator Action "Special Damage" and the Private Action in Public Nuisance 46 Chapter III. Private Nuisance by Gregory S. Pun 55 A. Scope and Meaning of Private Nuisance 55 B. Balance of Reasonableness Utility of Defendant's Conduct Locale or Character of Neighbourhood Severity of the Harm Sensitive Plaintiff...79 (a) Delicate Enterprise 79 (b) Delicate Physical/Psychological Make-up Malice Quality Frequency and Duration 83

3 xiv TABLE OF CONTENTS 8. Time of Day and Day of the Week Damage to Personal Health 85 C. Standing: The Plaintiffs Interest in the Affected Land The Traditional Rule and the Canadian Exception The Troublesome Issue of Standing of Family Members Fee Simple and Life Estates Tenants with Leasehold Estates Licensees Easements, Profits a Prendre and Other Lesser Interests in Land Reversionary Interests Aboriginal Interest in Reserve Land Trespassers Assignment of the Right to Sue Standing to Sue for Pre-existing Nuisances Representative Actions and Class Proceedings '...97 D. Other Boundaries of Liability: The Source of the Nuisance, Fault, Knowledge, Vicarious Liability and Joint and Several Liability The Source of the Nuisance: The Requirement that the Nuisance Emanate from the Defendant's Land Nuisances Arising from Operation of Nature or Third Parties: Fault, Foreseeability, Vicarious Liability and Joint and Several Liability 99 Chapter IV The Rule from Rylands v. Fletcher by Margaret I. Hall 109 A. Introduction 109 B. Rylands v. Fletcher Rylands v. Fletcher. The Case Two Rules or One? The Rule Restated 114 C. Substances, Activities and Accumulations Subject to Rylands Ordinary and "Non-natural" Use: Changing the Nature of Risk Benefit, Choice and Consent Creation of Extraordinary Risk 118 (a) Creation of Extraordinary Risk: Things Dangerous under the Circumstances 118 (b) Extraordinary Risk due to Accumulation 119 (c) Water ("Not Brought onto Land") as a Source of Extraordinary Risk 120

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS XV (d) Creation of Extraordinary Risk: Innately Dangerous Things or Substances 122 (i) Explosives and Vibrations 122 (ii) Chemicals and Herbicides 123 (iii) Natural Gas 124 (iv) Electricity 125 (v) Oil and Gasoline 126 (vi) Fire 128 (vii) Sewage 130 (e) Creation of Extraordinary Risk: The Requirement of Human Intervention ("Brought onto Land") 131 D. Escape Single Event Escape from Defendant's Land/Escape from Defendant's Control 133 E. Damage and Causation Damage Causation 137 F. Situating Rylands as a Theory of Strict Liability 139 G. Conclusion 140 Chapter V. Defences in Nuisance (Public and Private) and Rylands by Gregory S. Pun 143 A. The "Ineffectual Defences" Coming to the Nuisance Beneficial to the Public at Large or "Common Benefit" or "General Benefit" Suitable Place/No Other Place All Possible Care and Skill ("no negligence by the defendant") Others Also Causing Nuisance Reasonable Use of Own Property 151 B. Statutory Immunity 152 C. Statutory Authority General Development of the Defence Mandatory and Permissive Legislation "Inevitable Consequence" "Negligent Conduct" Compensation Schemes 179 D. Contributory Fault and "Coming to the Nuisance" Coming to the Nuisance Contributory Fault 183 E. Consent, Acquiescence, Estoppel (volenti nonfit injuria), 187

5 xvi TABLE OF CONTENTS F. Act of Third Party 191 G. Act of God (vis major, force majeure) 194 H. Prescription (Adverse Possession) 198 I. Limitation Period and the Continuing Cause of Action 201 Chapter VI. Remedies by Margaret I. Hall and Gregory S. Pun 209 A. Introduction 209 B. Abatement Abatement Generally When Abatement Justified 211 (a) Distinction Between Positive and Negative Acts Undertaken for Purpose of Abatement 213 (b) Character of the Nuisance: Acts of Commission and Acts of Omission Damages and Expenses Associated with Abatement No Duty to Abate Where Entry onto Land Necessary for Abatement 215 (a) The Requirement of Notice 215 (b) Exceptions Where Notice not Required 215 (c) Criminal Law Implications Abatement in the Context of Public Nuisance 217 (a) Abatement of Public Nuisance by Private Persons 218 C. Injunctions Introduction Substantial Interference/Harm and the Balance of Convenience Suspended Injunction Prohibitory Injunctions Interlocutory Injunctions Mandatory Injunctions Quia Timet Injunctions Public Nuisance Injunctions in Rylands Cases 231 D. Damages Introduction Prospective Damages and Diminution in Value Tangible and Intangible Injury 236 (a) Damages for Intangible Harm 236 (b) Damages for Tangible Harm 240 (c) Damages for Ancillary Loss 242 (d) Repair/Reinstatement and Diminution in Value Personal Injury and Fatal Accidents Punitive Damages 247

6 TABLE OF CONTENTS xvii 6. Nominal Damages Insurance and Collateral Benefits Mitigation Damages in Lieu of Injunctions Statutory Remedies 254 Chapter VH. Criminal Nuisance Gregory S. Pun 255 A. Introduction 255 B. Commission of Unlawful Act or Failure to Discharge Legal Duty 257 C. Endangerment to the Public 260 D. Causation and "Coming to the Nuisance" 261 Index 263