FACULTY NOTES
First Book on Mississippi Torts Published by Professor Weems, Son
The issue of tort reform in Mississippi remains in the news but many citizens
may not even know what a tort is. Professor Robert A. Weems ('66) and
his lawyer son Robert M. Weems ('94) have answers in a new book, Mississippi
Law of Torts, one of the first written on the subject.
Professor Weems says there's a lot to know about torts, one reason it's
taken so long for such a book to be compiled. "A book on wills and
estates is one thing; a book on torts is quite another," he said,
alluding to his previously published book on the Mississippi law of wills
and estates.
Although the torts book may be understood by the general public, it is
written mostly for lawyers and judges, Weems said. To readers outside
the legal field, some chapter titles may appear a bit daunting: Statutory
Enactments, Negligence Cause of Action, Joint Tortfeasors, Vicarious Liability,
Emotional Distress.
Wrongs such as trespassing on private property, shoplifting, libel, slander,
medical malpractice, and fraud are clearly explained and referenced with
court cases lending more insight.
The 369-page book took a year to write, and Weems says he has no illusions
that it is a "flawless" work.
"No doubt there are topics and cases that we overlooked, though we
tried not to. But given the vastness of the subject, this probably would
be the case if we spent another year writing."
Because tort law constantly evolves, Weems says he expects new editions
will be required on a regular basis.
The senior Weems has been a member of the UM law faculty since 1977. He
also has published three editions of the book Wills and Administration
of Estates in Mississippi. Robert M. Weems clerks for U.S. District Judge
Tom S. Lee in Jackson.