Case Summaries

Corporate Officer of the House of Commons v Information Commissioner

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Case summary for LawTeacher.net about Corporate Officer of the House of Commons v Information Commissioner. ...

Corporate Officer of the House of Commons v Information Commissioner

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGE – FREEDOM OF INFORMATION – JURISDICTION. Numerous requests were made to the House of Commons under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for detailed breakdowns of some MPs’ claims under the Additional Costs Allowances scheme. ...

Corporation v Skibs A/S Avanti

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The Defendant owned two tankers that were charted to the Plaintiff for three years. The Plaintiff’s financial situation began to deteriorate, so they approached the Defendant requesting that the rates for the charter were reduced as the company had suffered massive losses ...

Costello v Chief Constable of Northumbria

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The claimant was taking a prisoner to a cell and was, at the time accompanied by a police inspector. When the prisoner attacked the claimant, the accompanying officer did nothing to assist her. The result was that the claimant was injured. ...

Coulthard v Neville Russell – 1998

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The case concerned a claim by three directors of D & H Ltd (the Directors) against Neville Russell (the Auditors) on the grounds that the Auditors had failed in their duty to advise them against their acquisition of shares through a loan from the Company in breach of section 151 of the Companies Act 1985. ...

Countess of Dunmore v Alexander (1830) 9 S. 190

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The Countess of Dunmore (C) was looking to change servant and wrote to Lady Agnew (LA) requesting information on the character of one of her servants… ...

Courtney & Fairburn Ltd v Tolaini Bros

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The respondents, Tolaini Bros, wished to develop a hotel. The appellants were property developers. During negotiations between the parties, it was proposed… ...

Coward v Motor Insurance Bureau

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Mrs Coward obtained judgement for damages which was not paid out because Mr Cole’s insurance policy did not provide cover for him to carry pillion… ...

Cowcher v Cowcher

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

Mr and Mrs Cowcher were together for almost 20 years, marrying in 1953. In 1963, they had bought a house together… ...

Cowell v Rosehill Racecourse Co Ltd

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

he appellant brought an action against the respondent for damages for assault at common law. ...

Crabb v Arun DC 1975

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

The claimant purchased land with a limited number of access points. The defendant authority placed gates at the access… ...

Crawley BC v Ure 1996

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

Landlord and tenant; one joint tenant giving notice to quit without consulting the other ...

Credit Lyonnais v Burch Case Summary

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Burch raised the defence of undue influence – stating that Mr Pelosi had induced her to enter into the agreement, and the bank had full knowledge/notice of this. ...

Crest Nicholson v McAllister

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

Two brothers, by way of their joint company, had purchased land for development and onward sale. ...

Criminal Law Case Summaries

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The defendant, Bree (B), visited his brother and went for an evening out with him and others, including the complainant (C). All present consumed considerable quantities of alcohol, before returning to B’s brother’s home. ...

Crofter Hand Woven Harris Tweed v Veitch

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The appellants produced cloth, obtaining their yarn from the mainland – unlike other yarn spun in the mills of Stornoway. The respondents worked for the… ...

Crooke v De Vandes

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

The testator of a will wished to dispose of his property between a number of beneficiaries. ...

Crossley v Rawlinson – Case Summary

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The defendant, a lorry driver, stopped his vehicle when the tarpaulin covering his load caught fire. The fire was accepted to be a consequence of the… ...

Crowhurst v Amersham Burial Board

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The defendant planted a yew tree on their property, however these trees were planted very close to the claimant’s own property (approximately 4 feet… ...

Crown River Cruises v Kimbolton Fireworks – 1996

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The defendants, Kimbolton Fireworks, carried out a short firework display that lasted for some twenty minutes or so. As a result of the fireworks display… ...

Crystal Palace v Dowie

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The defendant, Mr Dowie, was a football manager for the complainants, Crystal Palace Football Club. In the terms of his employment contract… ...

CTN Cash & Carry Ltd v Gallagher Ltd [1994]

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Gallagher demanded CTN to pay for the cigarettes despite those not being delivered due to Gallagher’s own mistake. Gallagher argued that the risk… ...

Cullinane v British Rema Manufacturing

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Cullinane purchased a clay pulverising machine from British ‘Rema’ Manufacturing Co Ltd (BRMCO). BRMCO warranted the machine processed six tonnes… ...

Cummings v Granger

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The defendant was the occupier of a breaker’s yard. At night, the yard was locked and the defendant’s untrained Alsatian dog was turned loose in order… ...

Cundy v Lindsay

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The case concerned whether a mistake as to the identity of a contracting party was so fundamental so as to negate the consent of the other party. The foundation of contract law is premised on mutual agreement, i.e., agreeing on the same thing in the same sense, popularly referred to as consensus ad idem. ...

Curley v Parkes [2005]

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

Purchase price resulting trust of home; when trust takes effect; whether it can be altered subsequently. ...

Currie v Misa – Summary

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Lizardi & Co. sold a number of bills of exchange to Mr. Misa, drawn from a banking firm owned by Mr. Currie, and were to be paid on the next day. However, Lizardi was in substantial debt to Mr. Currie’s bank and was being pressed for payment. ...

Curtis v Chemical Cleaning & Dyeing Co – 1951

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Affirms that when a party misrepresents the significance of a term, it ceases to be contractually binding. The claimant, Curtis, took her wedding dress to be cleaned by a professional laundry service, the defendants, the Chemical Cleaning and Dyeing Company. ...

Cutler v Wandsworth Stadium Ltd – 1949

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Mr Cutler was a bookmaker who carried on his business at a greyhound track occupied by the respondents. He claimed that as occupiers… ...

Cutter v Powell – 1795

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Partial performance of a contract. Mr. Cutter, a sailor, was hired for a voyage and given a promissory note from his employment that ten days after the ship arrives at Liverpool, he will pay Mr. Cutter a certain sum. ...

D & C Builders v Rees

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The builders sought payment from Rees for building work done and materials supplied in respect of alterations and repairs completed on Rees’ shop. Rees did not pay, but the work continued and a second bill was issued. ...

D’Eyncourt v Gregory

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

A testator was a life tenant of certain estates, upon which he had erected and furnished a mansion-house and bequeathed all the tapestry… ...

Dahlia v Four Millbank

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

This case concerns selling property. The complainant, Dahlia, wanted to purchase property from the defendants, Four Millbank Nominees. ...

Daiichi UK Ltd v Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

A number of unincorporated groups and their supporters (S) who campaigned for the rights of animals targeted a campaign against Daiichi UK Ltd. ...

Dalrymple v Dalrymple Summary

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

A wife raised a claim against her husband for the restitution of conjugal rights. Due to family circumstances requiring secrecy… ...

Dalton v Angus & Co

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

The claimants and defendants’ adjoined houses were built independently, but each had lateral support from the soil… ...

Daly v General Steam Navigation

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The plaintiff who was a housewife, was a passenger in the defendant’s vessel. She was injured in an accident and had to be treated over a long… ...

Damages and Remedies Case Summaries

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

A shipowner was held liable to a charterer in damages for loss of a cargo which had been caused by a combination of perils of the sea and the unseaworthiness of the ship. ...

Daniel v Drew – Case Summary

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

A Hampshire farm was left in trust to sisters Mss Drew and Daniel. The sisters gave away their interest to their respective sons. ...

Dann v Hamilton – 1939

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The plaintiff, knowing that the defendant was drunk and that a road traffic accident was highly likely as a result, chose to travel by the car despite being under no compulsion to do that driven either by necessity or something else. ...

Darlington BC v Wiltshier Northern

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The agreement between WNL and the finance company stipulated that all rights and causes of action against WNL were assigned to DBC. DBC brought… ...

Darlington Futures v Delco – Summary

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The issue in this case was the validity of both the limitation and exclusion clauses, as well as the court’s approach to ambiguity in both types… ...

Das v Linden Mews Ltd

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

Two residents of Linden Mews formed a company called Linden Mews Ltd. The purpose of the company was the purchase… ...

Davidge v Bennett – 1984

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The Defendant (D) received cheques from her three flatmates in order to pay for the communal gas bill. Instead, D spent the money on Christmas… ...

Davies v Marshall 1861

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

The plaintiff complained that the defendant had obstructed the light and air from entering his antient windows… ...

Davis Contractors Ltd v Fareham Urban District Council

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

The appellants tendered for a contract with the respondents to build 28 houses for 8 months. The tender was accompanied by a letter which stated that the tender was subject to adequate supplies of materials and labour when required to carry out the work within the time specified. ...

Davis v Johnson

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

Exclusion orders of a cohabiting joint tenant from a matrimonial home under the Domestic Violence and Matrimonial… ...

Davis v Smith [2011]

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

A husband and wife married in 1988, after which they moved into a property which Mrs Smith had already been a tenant of for some time. In 1989, they purchased the property as joint tenants. ...

Day Morris Associates v Voyce – 2003

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Ms Voyce denied that she had entered into this agreement for commission, as she had not signed any contract with the complainants. ...

Day v Savadge

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Day sued Savadge for trespass after the latter took away a bag of nutmegs. Savadge claimed that it was customary in London for people… ...

De Keyser’s Royal Hotel v Spicer Bros

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The defendants were constructing a building nearby to the claimant’s hotel. This involved the excavation of the foundations and pile-driving… ...

De Molestina v Ponton

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

This case concerned ownership of property and the estate of a deceased wealthy businessman. This was a dispute between members of the family… ...

Deen v Andrews (1985)

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

Whether a greenhouse standing by its own weight was included in a conveyance because it was to be defined as a building ...

Dennant v Skinner and Collom [1948] 2 KB 164 (KBD)

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Case Summary of Dennant v Skinner and Collom [1948] 2 KB 164 (KBD). Establishing the general position in inter praesentes. ...

Derry v Peek – 1889

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

False representation – In the prospectus released by the defendant company, it was stated that the company was permitted to use trams that were powered by steam, rather than by horses. ...

DGM Commodities Corporation v Sea Metropolitan SA

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

In October 2007, the defendants (the owners of a vessel) chartered a vessel to the claimants (the charterers)… ...

Dhanani v Crasnianski

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The defendant, Mr Crasnianski was a scientist and inventor. He met the claimant, Mr Dhanani by chance on the Eurostar whilst travelling from Paris to… ...

DHN Food v Tower Hamlets

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Piercing the corporate veil – groups of companies. DHN Food Distributors Ltd v Tower Hamlets London Borough Council [1976] 1 WLR 852 Case Summary. An example of piercing the corporate veil. ...

Diarra v FIFA – Lassana Diarra Case

Example case summary. Last modified: 4th Oct 2024

The case concerns Lassana Diarra, a professional football player, and his dispute with FIFA regarding the transfer system and its compatibility with EU law. ...

Dick Bentley v Harold Smith

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The claimant, Dick Bentley, was aware of the defendant, Harold Smith’s, reputation as an expert in prestige cars and requested that the defendant keep an eye out for a well vetted and kept Bentley car, as he wished to purchase one. ...

Dickinson v Abel

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The taxpayer received this money despite not offering any services in relation to the eventual sale. ...

Dickinson v Dodds

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

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. ...

Dillwyn v Llewelyn [1862]

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

A father signed a memorandum leaving his farm to his son. However, this memorandum was not executed by deed. ...

Diment v NH Foot Ltd

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

Diment was the owner of a farm from 1936 onwards. She rarely visited the farm, only once a year until 1967. ...

Dimskal Shipping v ITWF

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The Plaintiffs owned a vessel manned by Greeks and Filipinos when it docked at a Swedish port. An agent of I.T.F informed the plaintiff… ...

Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland v Maxwell

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The defendant was a member of the UVF, an organisation carrying out attacks on Roman Catholics by the use firearms and bombs. ...

Discharge Case Summaries

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Cases on discharge of contract covering the general rule and modification to it, agreement, breach, frustration and limitations of the doctrine. ...

Dixon v Fisher

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

John Dixon was the owner and operator of several coal mines, some of which were owned outright by him and others were held under various leases. ...

Dodd Properties v Canterbury City Council

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

In 1970, the defendants were building a multi-storey car park near to the complainant’s building. The pile driver they had used had resulted in bad… ...

Dolphin Maritime v Sveriges – Summary

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The Claimant was a cargo recovery agent and the Defendant was a Swedish P&I Club. The Claimant was engaged by an insurer to recover cargo. ...

Domestic Violence | Family Law Study Area | Law Teacher

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Domestic Violence. The phrase ‘domestic violence’ is usually taken to mean unlawful violence used or threatened by one spouse or cohabitant against the other. The perpetrator is usually the male partner, and pronouns are… ...

Donington Park Leisure Ltd v Wheatcroft & Son Ltd

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

The tenant of a lease over a racing-circuit persuaded its landlord to allow it to use additional land for parking during a large event ...

Donnelly v Joyce – 1974

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

As a child, the plaintiff sustained injuries to his right leg in a road traffic accident which was the defendant’s fault. Although the leg was not broken… ...

Donoghue v Stevenson Case Summary

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Donoghue v Stevenson, a Scottish dispute, is a famous case in English law which was instrumental in shaping the law of tort and the doctrine of negligence in particular. ...

Donohoe v Ingram

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

A couple jointly occupied a home alongside their children. The father subsequently entered bankruptcy and their creditors sought to… ...

Donohoe v Ingram

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

The impact of exceptional circumstances on sales orders resultant from bankruptcy; can sales orders violate human rights. ...

Donovan v The Face

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The claimant, Jason Donovan, was a successful singer. In the early 1990s, the magazine called The Face published an article alleging that Mr Donovan was homosexual. ...

Dooley v Cammell Laird – 1971

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The claimant (C) was a crane operator working for the defendant (D). C was loading cargo from a quay onto a ship when the rope carrying the load snapped. ...

Doughty v Turner Manufacturing

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The claimant, Doughty, was an employee of the defendants, Turner Manufacturing Company, where he worked in their factory. ...

Douglas v Hello Ltd

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The Douglases were a celebrity couple who sold exclusive photography rights of their wedding to OK! Magazine. An unauthorised freelance photographer gained access to the wedding and sold pictures to Hello! Magazine, a rival competitor. ...

Downsview Nominees Ltd v First City

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The plaintiff appointed receivers and managers of a company over which it held a debenture. A separate debenture in relation to the… ...

Doyle v Olby – 1969

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The complainant, Mr Doyle, decided to purchase an Ironmonger’s business from the defendants, Olby (Ironmongers) Ltd. He purchased the business for… ...

DPP for Northern Ireland v Lynch

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

On the 29th January 1972, the appellant was instructed by members of the IRA to drive them to a specific location in Belfast. One of the men in the car… ...

DPP v A – 2000

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The defendant wished to raise the defence of duress to a charge of robbery on the basis that two strangers had threatened to kill… ...

DPP v Morgan – 1976

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Rape – Consent – Honest Belief to Consent – No Reasonable Belief Required if Honest and Genuine Belief to Consent. The defendant was a Royal Air Force Pilot and he had invited his friends over to have sexual intercourse with his wife. ...

DPP v Smith – 1961

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Whether mens rea for murder is subjective or objective. Jim Smith (S) was ordered by a police constable to stop his car which contained stolen goods, however S accelerated instead. ...

DSBD Subsea v Petroleum – Case Summary

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

DSND entered into a memorandum of understanding varying the terms of the agreement with PGS, after DSND was found to have a… ...

Dubai Aluminium v Salaam

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

A solicitor firm’s vicarious liability for a partner’s dishonest assistance to a client. The senior partner of a firm drafted a consultancy agreement and other requisite documentation for a client’s fraudulent enterprise. ...

Duffy v Lamb

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

This case concerned the (continuing) supply of electricity to the claimant’s property. The claimant was initially a tenant of Manby Estates Limited, being… ...

Duffy v Lamb (1997)

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

This case concerned the (continuing) supply of electricity to the claimant’s property. The claimant was initially… ...

Duke of Norfolk v Arbuthnot

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

The parish church, St. Nicholas Arundel, was a cruciform church with a central tower. Part of it, located to the east… ...

Dunlop v New Garage

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

The Claimant (C) manufactured and supplied goods to the Respondents (R) who were dealers and under an agreement C prohibited R from selling than their list price sold an item under the list price, hence C bought a claim in the breach of contract and wanted R to pay a sum of 5l. ...

Dunlop v Selfridge – 1915

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Contract law – Construction of contract – Consideration. Dunlop was a tire manufacturer who agreed with their dealer to not sell the tires below a recommended retail price (RRP). ...

Dunraven Securities Ltd v Holloway

Example case summary. Last modified: 12th Oct 2018

The case involved a 150-year lease of a property between landlord and tenant, with the property being a retail store. ...

Duress Case Summaries

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Contract law duress cases including duress to the person, duress to goods, economic duress and remedies. Barton v Armstrong [1976] AC 104 – A (the former chairman of a company) threatened B (the managing director) with death if he did not agree to purchase A’s shares in the company. ...

Durham Tees Valley Airport v Bmibaby

Example case summary. Last modified: 7th Mar 2018

Bmibaby entered an agreement to operate two aircraft from Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA) in 2004. The contract was to continue for a 10-year term… ...