Analysis of the Distribution of Liability Arising from Defective Products in the Case of an Indeterminate Cause, in Common Law, Islamic Jurisprudence, and Iranian Law

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Jurisprudence and Law, Faculty of Islamic Sciences and Research, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran

2 Assistant Professor of the Department of Law, Faculty of Human Sciences, Damghan University

3 Associate Professor, Department of Islamic Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Qom, Qom, Iran

10.22091/dplic.2025.12223.1046

Abstract

This research examines the responsibility of producers and distributors in compensating for damages caused by defects in manufactured goods, with the main question being whether these individuals are obligated to compensate for damages, especially in cases where identifying the exact source of the defect is not possible. The hypothesis posits that in situations where fungible goods are produced by multiple manufacturers and identifying the exact responsible party is impossible, existing theories in common law and Islamic jurisprudence can be utilized to allocate liability. The research method involves a comparative analysis of liability doctrines within common law and Islamic legal systems, focusing on judicial cases and various theories to identify legal solutions for allocating liability when the cause of damage is not identifiable. The findings indicate that theories such as "market share liability" and "concerted action doctrine" can serve as effective tools for allocating responsibility in cases where precise identification of the damaging party is challenging. Additionally, Islamic legal principles such as "no harm" (Lazhar) and "loss" (Atlaf) may also provide guidance in this context. Therefore, it is essential for the Iranian legal system to revisit and localize these theories to more effectively address the challenges associated with civil liability arising from product defects. Therefore, it is essential for the Iranian legal system to revisit and localize these theories to more effectively address the challenges associated with civil liability arising from product defects.

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