How can a defendant avoid tortious liability?

A Plaintiff who fails to prove the necessary ingredients of the particular tort or torts on which he relied will, of course, fail in his action. Even if he does prove these ingredients, however, he may still fail if the defendant shows that he is entitled to rely upon some specific defence. The defendant may avoid his liability if he is able to establish that any of the recognized general defences or exceptions to liability in tort applies in his case.