If there was a legal liability for writing up defects, most schools would close tomorrow
Come the brave new world of EASA, of course, there will be such a liability. Under EASA Part-OR, every approved training organisation (which includes current registered facilities, gliding clubs, etc.) will be obliged to have an approved Safety Management System of which an integral part will be the management of aircraft unserviceabilities. To satisfy ICAO SARPS, this requirement will have to be extended in due course to every aircraft operator, including private owners.