About the Possibility of a Second Trial Among Joint Tortfeasors in Order to Fix the Share of Liability

Download or read book About the Possibility of a Second Trial Among Joint Tortfeasors in Order to Fix the Share of Liability written by Carlos Gómez Ligüerre and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 14 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: If two or more persons are held jointly and severally liable in tort for the same injury, the victim may recover a full compensation from any of them. Subsequently, the tort feasor who has paid has a right of contribution for the amount paid by her in excess of her share and joint tort feasors may be compelled to make a contribution for their share of liability. Frequently, allocation of shares is controversial and a suit is needed to solve the problems that arise.Through the years Spanish Supreme Court's Civil Chamber held that this suit, different from the one imposing joint and several liability, was permitted as an essential component of the rule. However, a recent judgment by the same Chamber (March 13, 2007) has revisited the issue and has held that a suit among joint tort feasors in order to allocate individual shares infringes res iudicata. This paper is a reaction to this new judicial doctrine.