Bob bought a property, then hired a builder to build a new balcony - HSC - SSCE Legal Studies - Question 11 - 2006 - Paper 1

In this scenario, the most likely legal outcome is that Bob's sister successfully sued Bob for damages in tort. Here’s the reasoning:

1. Duty of Care: Bob’s sister was injured due to the collapse of the balcony, indicating that there was a duty of care owed to her, likely stemming from Bob’s decision to hire a builder to construct the balcony.

2. Negligence: Since the balcony collapsed, this suggests there may have been negligence either on the part of the builder or potentially due to Bob's hiring choice. However, as Bob is the direct party involved with his sister, the most straightforward legal claim would be against him.

3. Success of the Claim: In tort law, individuals can claim for damages if they can demonstrate that the injuries were a direct result of someone else's actions or decision. In this case, Bob’s hiring of the builder places liability on him for ensuring safety, thus making option (B) the most plausible legal outcome.