Private Law Theory

Abstract:
This article provides a conceptual framework for understanding the nascent New Zealand privacy tort. It argues that, although it has the potential to be applied more broadly, the intrusion tort should focus on unwarranted watching, listening and recording of activities in respect of which a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. The article is divided into three main parts. It begins by identifying retreat and inaccessibility as the basis for Anglo-Commonwealth understandings of privacy and providing a taxonomy of six sub-interests which fall within it. Then, it considers which of those six privacy sub-categories should come within the scope of the intrusion tort. Finally, the intrusion tort is reformulated so that it is clear precisely what behaviour it seeks to proscribe and on what legal basis.

Moreham, NA, A Conceptual Framework for the New Zealand Tort of Intrusion (May 31, 2016). Victoria University of Wellington Law Review, forthcoming.

First posted 2016-06-03 12:34:50