Opinion ID: 1838204
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Heading Rank: 3

Heading: recognition of common law torts in florida

Text: Whether a common law cause of action for tortious interference with a custodial parent-child relationship should be judicially recognized in Florida is a question of first impression. This State has adopted the common law of England as it existed on July 4, 1776, to the extent that it is not inconsistent with the statutes and constitutions of Florida and the United States. See § 2.01, Fla. Stat. (1997); State ex rel. Clayton v. Board of Regents, 635 So.2d 937, 937 (Fla.1994). We have explained that [a]ll rules of the common law are designed for application to new conditions and circumstances, and we exercise a `broad discretion' taking `into account the changes in our social and economic customs and present day conceptions of right and justice.' Hoffman v. Jones, 280 So.2d 431, 435-36 (Fla.1973) (quoting Duval v. Thomas, 114 So.2d 791, 795 (Fla. 1959)). [C]ontemporary conditions must be met with contemporary standards which are realistic and better calculated to obtain justice among all the parties involved. Id. at 436. Therefore, the common law `must keep pace with changes in our society,' and to that end may be altered when the reason for the rule of law ceases to exist, or when change is demanded by public necessity or required to vindicate fundamental rights. United States v. Dempsey, 635 So.2d 961, 964 (Fla.1994) (footnote omitted) (citations omitted) (quoting Gates v. Foley, 247 So.2d 40, 43 (Fla.1971)). As indicated, the tort of intentional interference with the custodial parent-child relationship has its origins in English common law and is derived from a cause of action for the abduction of the father's heir. See Pickle, 169 N.E. at 652-53; Barham, 78 Eng. Rep. at 1001; Keeton, supra, at § 124. The tort has evolved significantly since 1600 so that in its contemporary version either custodial parent may recover, the child does not have to be the heir, and recovery is not predicated on loss of services but on the sanctity of the parent-child relationship. It would be violative of constitutional equal protection issues not to recognize the equal rights of both parents in allowing either a cause of action or an element of damages. See Gates, 247 So.2d at 43. Additionally, outdated common law principles based on the view that children are nothing more than the economic assets of their parents have likewise been replaced with a more enlightened and realistic view of the role of children in their parents' lives. See Dempsey, 635 So.2d at 964. Thus, the cause of action for interference with a custodial parent-child relationship is a natural progression of the common law with due regard for constitutional principles, changes in our social and economic customs, and present day conceptions of right and justice. Hoffman, 280 So.2d at 435. Further, this Court has consistently recognized that the parent-child relationship has fundamental constitutional significance. See, e.g., Von Eiff v. Azicri, 720 So.2d 510, 513 (Fla.1998). Tort law has long protected relational interests, such as those between family members, from interference. See Keeton, supra, § 124, at 915. In Wilkie v. Roberts, 91 Fla. 1064, 1068, 109 So. 225, 227 (1926), this Court held that a wrongful injury to the child gave rise to a common law cause of action by the father for his losses, reasoning that a father's right to the custody, companionship, services and earnings of his minor child are valuable rights. In Yordon v. Savage, 279 So.2d 844, 846 (Fla.1973), this Court acknowledged that this right to recover damages, including those for the loss of companionship and society, resulting from a wrongful injury to the child extended to both parents. In Dempsey, this Court reaffirmed our holdings in Wilkie and Yordon, reiterating the policy that familial relationships are to be protected and recovery allowed for losses resulting from wrongful injuries that adversely affect those relationships. Dempsey, 635 So.2d at 964-65. In addition, the recognition of torts for intentional interference is certainly not a novel legal concept in Florida common law. For example, this Court has recognized the tort of intentional infliction of emotional distress. See Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. v. McCarson, 467 So.2d 277, 278 (Fla. 1985). Likewise, this Court has recognized a cause of action for intentional and tortious interference with a business relationship. See, e.g., Gossard v. Adia Servs., Inc., 723 So.2d 182, 183 (Fla.1998); United Yacht Brokers, Inc. v. Gillespie, 377 So.2d 668, 672 (Fla.1979). The tort of intentional interference with business relationships is recognized because economic relations are entitled to freedom from unreasonable interference. United Yacht, 377 So.2d at 672. We find that the parental custodial relationship should be entitled to no less legally recognized protection from unreasonable interference, especially given the fundamental constitutional significance of the parent-child relationship.