The work is broken down into 26 accessible chapters, each focusing on a particular aspect of RTA liability and includes. It includes coverage of the liability of each participant; the particular rules that apply to local authorities, children and schools, public service vehicles, etc; the liability of cyclists and motor cyclists; the specific rules that apply in a range of different circumstances such as low velocity crashes, accidents abroad, etc; and practical guidance on the liability of insures and the MIB.

This new edition has been thoroughly updated and includes coverage of developments in law and practice, including:

• Claims made in the UK arising from foreign accidents
• New EC directive consolidating all old RTA Directives
• Pedestrians run down when drunk
• Failure to wear a seat belt.
• What is a motor vehicle? Trail bikes and electric trikes
• As well as a new section containing draft model pleadings

GENERAL EDITOR
Andrew Ritchie QC
9 Gough Square, London

CONTRIBUTORS
Laura Begley
Adam Dawson
Aileen Downey
Laura Elfield
Jeremy Ford
Edward Lamb
Robert McAllister
Oliver Millington
Giles Mooney
Linda Nelson
Esther Pounder
Shahram Sharghy
Rajeev Shetty
Christopher Stevenson
Emily Verity
Tara Vindis
Mark Whalan
Christopher Wilson
All Barristers, 9 Gough Square, London

• Incidence of RTA Claims in England and Wales
• RTA Liability - General Principles
• Low Velocity Crashes
• Liability for Learner Drivers
• Owners’ Liability
• Passengers’ Liability
• Driver’s Liability – Speed and Braking
• Driver’s Liability – Overtaking
• Driver’s Liability – Turning and Side Roads
• Driver’s Liability – Lighting
• Driver’s Liability – Traffic Lights
• Driver’s Liability – Road Sign
• Driver’s Liability – Roundabouts
• Pedal Cyclist’s Liability
• Motor Cyclist’s Liability
• Emergency Vehicles’ Liability
• Pedestrians’ Liability
• Liability of Children and Schools
• Local Authority Liability
• Roadside Neighbours’ Liability
• Liability for Injuries Caused by Animals in Road Traffic Accidents
• Liability for Spillages and Obstructions on the Highway
• Public Service Vehicles
• Road Traffic Accidents Abroad
• Insurers’s Liability
• Motor Insurers’ Bureau’s Liability
• Precedents

“an absolute gem...this will now be my book of first choice when I need to check on the finer points of road traffic liability”
From the Foreword to the First Edition by Amanda Stevens, Former APIL President

FOREWORD TO THE FIRST EDITION

I expected this book to be good but I already had a few personal favourites on this particular subject. I very quickly discovered upon reading it, that it is an absolute gem and this will now be my book of first choice when I need to check any of the finer points of road traffic liability law. It is presented in a very clear, user friendly format with practical step-by-step tips where the subject matter requires. Difficult subject areas are explored in straightforward terms without in any way trivialising the law.

I particularly like the breadth and depth of the subject matter presented. It is unusual in my experience to include detailed examination of pavements for slip and trip cases in a Road Traffic Act book but of course they are all incidents on the highway. The text explores a full range of legal options for presenting cases. I wonder, for example, how many people have thought of making a claim under the Occupiers’ Liability Act for damage caused through disrepair of a vehicle? There are some witty one line observations which help make the reader feel grounded when exploring some of the finer points of law. The observation ‘the wording is far too obscure for plain English or plain Englishmen to understand’ is one such illustration.

Indications of future developments in the law are sufficiently succinct to be interesting and make sure one keeps an eye open for them without drifting into the realms of lengthy speculation.

I also like the distinction made in several places between pure accidents and negligence which is of course a recurring theme throughout APIL educational campaigns in the wider community.

In short, I consider that this will be useful text for all levels of practitioner and I commend it to you warmly. If you have the budget to buy just one more text on motor claims this year then make sure you buy this one. If you do not, it is worth the small outlay for a private copy! The editor and authors are to be congratulated on a job well done.

Amanda Stevens
APIL President
February 2009

RTA law has moved on apace since the first edition.

I am very grateful to the barristers at 9 Gough Square for applying their considerable experience to producing the second edition. It is larger, better and more informative and I hope that readers around Great Britain will find this text useful in their day-to-day practices.

If readers find any errors or omissions please feel free to email me at aritchie@9goughsquare.co.uk and we will consider them for the third edition.

Andrew Ritchie QC
9 Gough Square, London, EC4A 3DG
aritchie@9goughsquare.co.uk
February 2012