The rules of strict liability in tort, as established by the Rylands v Fletcher case, are as follows: 1) The defendant brings or accumulates a hazardous substance on their land; 2) The defendant has a non-natural use of their land; 3) The hazardous substance escapes from the defendant's land; and 4) The escape causes damage to the claimant. If these conditions are met, the defendant may be held strictly liable, meaning they are responsible for the resulting harm regardless of their intention or negligence.