The Illegality Defence in Law: A Constitutional and Human Rights Perspective

by Edit Deutch

Overview

The Illegality Defence posits that a cause of action cannot arise from a wrongful act. Barring a claim through the application of this defence contradicts considerations of corrective justice, as the defendant is released from liability even though the claimant would otherwise have been entitled to a remedy. This book re-examines the application of the Illegality Defence, framing it as a State deprivation of property for the public good, underscoring the necessity of constitutional protections in this context. Offering a novel approach, the work explores the development, interpretation, and application of the Illegality Defence within a constitutional framework, bridging the gap between private and public law. By delving into the structured concepts of proportionality, it aims to establish a more refined legal model which is sensitive to the protection of human rights – specifically, the human right to property. This approach seeks to enhance legal certainty and predictability in the application of the Illegality Defence. The study will be essential reading for academics and researchers working in the areas of legal theory, human rights law, and jurisprudence.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781040383537
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/30/2025
Series:	Routledge Research in Legal Philosophy
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	282
File size:	761 KB

About the Author

Edit Deutch is a Senior Associate at Meitar Law firm, specialising in commercial and international arbitration. Previously, she was a visiting lecturer of Contract Law at King’s College London, UK.

Table of Contents

Introduction and Outline. Part A: The Rationales for the Illegality Principle. 1. The Rationales for the Illegality Principle Part B: The Constitutional-Based Model of the Illegality Principle 2. The Applicability of the Constitutional Protection of Property to the Field of Illegality 3. The Categorisation of the Illegality Principle as a ‘Deprivation’ of Property 4. Deprivation of Property ’According to Law’ 5. The Constitutional ‘Public Interest’ Requirement 6. Proportionality - The Appropriateness Test 7. Proportionality - The Duty to Choose the Less Harmful Means 8. Proportionality - The Cost-Benefit Balance 9. Confiscation and Civil Forfeiture - Implications on the Illegality Principle Part C: The Doctrinal Components of Illegality in Light of the Constitutional Model 10. The Required Turpitude 11. The Required Nexus Between the Turpitude and the Cause of Action Part D: Implementation and Conclusion 12. Implementation of the Human Rights Model. Conclusion. Bibliography. Index