Replaces and extends the Law Reform (Married Women and Tortfeasors) Act 1935 which abolished the common law rule that a judgment in favour of a claimant against one of a number of joint tortfeasors barred subsequent proceedings against the others. The 1978 Act gives a tortfeasor the right to secure a contribution from other tortfeasors where the legal basis of their respective liabilities lies in tort, breach of contract, breach of trust or otherwise. The Act also abolished the rule that if the claimant’s action against one tortfeasor succeeded the damages awarded set a limit for any subsequent actions against other defendants.