'''''Res ipsa loquitur''''' is a [[Latin]] phrase literally meaning "the thing speaks for itself." It is a concept used in the [[tort]] of [[negligence]] where a particular event is taken as constituting a negligent act without the need for the [[plaintiff]] to adduce evidence on the point. The very nature of the event is taken as being sufficient proof of the negligence. Chief Justice Barwick of the [[Australian]] High Court expressed it as follows: | '''''Res ipsa loquitur''''' is a [[Latin]] phrase literally meaning "the thing speaks for itself." It is a concept used in the [[tort]] of [[negligence]] where a particular event is taken as constituting a negligent act without the need for the [[plaintiff]] to adduce evidence on the point. The very nature of the event is taken as being sufficient proof of the negligence. Chief Justice Barwick of the [[Australian]] High Court expressed it as follows: |