Martial Artists Liability

As an instructor, a black belt is held to a martial artists liability. The Theory of Agency states that the principle (teacher) is liable for the unlawful acts which he causes to be committed through an agent (student).

A martial artist instructor may be held liable for the unlawful acts of his students in three possible ways.

First, the teacher appears to approve of unlawful conduct she may be held liable if a student commits such an act. Similarly a dojo that encourages the use of excessive force inappropriately and teaches a student to abuse his knowledge may be held responsible for subsequent unlawful acts.

Second, a teacher may be held liable for teaching potentially lethal techniques of a weapon, then entrusting the student with the weapon.

Third an instructor is held responsible for negligence if a student or other party is harmed during class as a result of improper teaching techniques.

In conclusion the instructor's liability denotes that as a teacher you are both legally and morally responsible for the actions of your students regarding their instruction both inside and outside of the dojo.

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