Case Summaries
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Stevenson Jacques & Co v Mclean
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
The defendant, Mclean, offered to sell iron to the complainant, Stevenson Jaques & Co. This was for the price of 40s and the offer would remain open until Monday....
R v Pagett - 1983
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
The appellant shot at a police officer who was trying to arrest him, and subsequently attempted to use a pregnant teenage girl standing nearby as a human shield to defend himself against retaliation by the officer....
Alcock v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
A joined action was brought by Alcock (C) and several other claimants against the head of the South Yorkshire Police. C and the other claimants all had relatives who were caught up in the Hillsborough Stadium disaster, in which 95 fans of Liverpool FC died....
Harris v Nickerson
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
The defendant was an auctioneer who had advertised in the London papers that certain brewing materials, plant, and office furniture would be sold by him by auction at Bury St. Edmunds over a period of three specified days. ...
R v Secretary of State for Transport, ex parte Factortame
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
Reaffirmed the supremacy of European Community law over the domestic laws of a Member State in the event of conflict. New British legislation required that to register a ship in Britain, most of its owners to be of British nationality....
Brogden v Metropolitan Rly Co
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
The complainants, Brogden, were suppliers of coal to the defendant, Metropolitan Railway. They completed business dealings regarding the coal frequently for a number of years, on an informal basis....
Collins v Wilcock - 1984
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
Definition of battery, unlawful touching when beyond scope of police authority. A police officer wished to question a woman in relation to her alleged activity as a prostitute. The woman decided to walk away, but the police officer was intent on stopping her and in order to do so....
R v Smith - 1959
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
Causation - The defendant was a soldier who stabbed one of his comrades during a fight in an army barracks. The victim was taken to receive medical attention, but whilst being carried to the hospital was dropped twice by those carrying him....
A and Others v UK - Belmarsh Case
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
The case concerned the indefinite detention of foreign prisoners in the United Kingdom prison ‘Belmarsh’. The prisoners were held without trial under section 23 of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. ...
L'Estrange v Graucob - 1934
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
Affirmed that the clauses of a written contract are binding on the signatories, even where a party is unaware of the contract’s full contents. The claimant, L’Estrange, contracted to purchase a slot machine for cigarettes from the defendant, Graucob....
Wilkinson v Downton - 1897
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
Damages – Psychiatric harm – Remoteness. Downton (D) made a joke to Mrs Wilkinson (W) that her husband, Thomas Wilkinson (T) had had an accident in which both his legs were broken and that W should go to The Elms pub where T was lying to bring him home. ...
Ready Mixed Concrete v Minister of Pensions
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
A driver contracted with a mixed concrete company for the delivery of concrete. The contract declared him an “independent contractor” and set out wages and expenses....
Street v Mountford
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
Whether exclusive possession creates a tenancy. The respondent, Street, granted a licence to the appellant, Mountford, to occupy two rooms at a weekly rent subject to 14 days’ notice of termination....
CCSU v Minister for the Civil Service
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
In the 1980’s, with the United Kingdom under the Conservative government led by Margaret Thatcher, it was ruled that any and all employees of the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) were prohibited from joining any trade union....
Dickinson v Dodds
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
The defendant, Mr Dodds, wrote to the complainant, Mr Dickinson, with an offer to sell his house to him for £800. He promised that he would keep this offer open to him until Friday. However, on the Thursday Mr Dodds accepted an offer from a third party and sold his house to them....
R v White - 1910
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
The defendant put poison into the evening drink of the victim, his mother, with the intention of killing her. The victim drank a few sips of the drink and then fell asleep. ...
Bourhill v Young - 1943
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
Mr Young had been negligently riding his motorcycle and was responsible for a collision with car in which he himself suffered fatal injuries. At the time of the crash, Mrs Bourhill (C) was in the process of leaving a tram about 50 feet away. ...
Ghaidan v Godin-Mendoza
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
Succession by a homosexual partner to a statutory tenancy under the Rent Act 1977. Ghaidan v Godin-Mendoza [2002] EWCA Civ 1533; [2004] UKHL 30. Succession by a homosexual partner to statutory tenancy...
Chappell and Co v Nestle Ltd
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
Consideration need not have economic value. The defendants, Nestlé, contracted with a company manufacturing gramophone records to buy several recordings of music. ...
Thomas v Thomas - 1842
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
Consideration need only be legally not economically adequate.. A valid contract must be supported by consideration. That is, the promisee must promise to do something in return for the promise of the other party....
Fagan v Metropolitan Police Commissioner
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
Fagan v MPC case summary. Actus reus – assault of policeman – car driven on to policeman’s foot. Fagan was sat in his car when he was approached by a police officer who told him to move the vehicle. ...
Macaura v Northern Assurance
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
The owner of a timber estate sold all the timber to a company which was owned almost solely by him. He was the company’s largest creditor. He insured the timber against fire, but in his own name....
Merritt v Merritt - 1970
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
Husband agreed to transfer home to wife on separation; whether intention to create legal relations. Mr Merritt contended the agreement was a domestic arrangement between husband and wife and there was no intention to create legal relations......
Walsh v Lonsdale (1882)
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
Whether equitable leases must comply with common law requirements. The defendant, Lonsdale, agreed to grant the claimant, Walsh, the lease of a mill for seven years, the rent to be paid quarterly in arrears with a year’s rent payable in advance if demanded....
Pinnel's Case - 1602
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Sep 2021
Whether part payment of a debt can be good consideration. The defendant, Cole, owed the plaintiff, Pinnel, the sum of £8 10s. Pinnel sued Cole for recovery of the debt....
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