Case Summaries
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Hedley Byrne v Heller – Brief Case Summary
Example case summary. Last modified: March 13, 2026
Case Summary of Hedley Byrne & Co Ltd v Heller & Partners Ltd (1964) AC 465 (HL). Claiming Economic Loss and Experts. In 1963 the House of Lords established that in limited circumstances – if a duty of care arose in the making of statements – pure economic loss in tort could now be recoverable in English law….
Flaminio Costa v ENEL – 1964
Example case summary. Last modified: September 28, 2021
Established the supremacy of European Community laws over the national laws of Member States. The claimant, Costa, was an Italian citizen with shares in the Italian electricity supply company Edisonvolta, and he sought to oppose moves by the State to nationalise the electric industry….
Hall v Brooklands Auto-Racing Club
Example case summary. Last modified: October 1, 2021
On the day in question two competing cars in a long distance race on this track were involved in a collision on the finishing straight, with one of the cars being flung into the air and over the kerb and railing, hitting a group of spectators and killing two of them….
Hardman v Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset
Example case summary. Last modified: July 16, 2019
The appellants were part of a group of protestors called the ‘Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament Group’. They used soluble paint to paint human……
Hill v Baxter – 1958
Example case summary. Last modified: September 28, 2021
Insufficient evidence to rely on defence of automatism in dangerous driving case. The defendant (B) was charged with dangerous driving. He claimed to have no memory from an early point in his journey to immediately after the incident….
Financial Matters After Divorce | Family Law Study Area | Law Teacher
Example case summary. Last modified: July 16, 2019
Financial Matters After Divorce. Now that 'matrimonial offences' have largely disappeared from divorce law, there is only rarely any dispute between the parties as to the desirability of a divorce in itself. Such disputes as do…
Godden v Hales – Summary
Example case summary. Last modified: June 14, 2019
Sir Edward Hales was a member of the House of Commons and a close associate of King James II. He converted to catholicism in 1685….
Harvela v Royal Trust of Canada
Example case summary. Last modified: June 14, 2019
The first defendant held shares in company. By means of a telex communication they invited the claimant and the second defendant……
Ellen Street Estates Ltd v Minster of Health
Example case summary. Last modified: June 14, 2019
The appellant purchased various properties in Ellen Street, London. Shortly thereafter, the properties were compulsorily……
Francovich v. Italy [1991]
Example case summary. Last modified: October 28, 2021
One of the defining and controversial characteristics of the European Union has been the supranational nature of its institutions and laws. European laws can take the form of primary laws, which consists of the intergovernmental treaties, and secondary laws in the form of regulations, directives and decisions which are passed by the Commission….
Daly v General Steam Navigation
Example case summary. Last modified: June 14, 2019
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……
De Molestina v Ponton
Example case summary. Last modified: June 14, 2019
This case concerned ownership of property and the estate of a deceased wealthy businessman. This was a dispute between members of the family……
Hellawell v Eastwood – Facts
Example case summary. Last modified: June 14, 2019
The claimant was the tenant of a factory and owed rent to the defendant. The defendant entered the claimant’s factory and seized several cotton spinning……
Hamp v Bygrave
Example case summary. Last modified: July 16, 2019
The claimant purchased a house from the defendant. The particulars of sale mentioned several stone garden ornaments that rested……
Hardman v Booth – 1863 | Summary
Example case summary. Last modified: June 14, 2019
The plaintiff was a manufacturer who wished to sell goods to Gandell & Co. Edward Gandell was a clerk who worked there and led the plaintiff to……
Heslop v Burns – 1974
Example case summary. Last modified: June 14, 2019
Mr. Timms met a married couple, and developed an affection for the wife, Ms. Burns. He permitted the married couple to live in his second house……
Gregg v Scott
Example case summary. Last modified: July 16, 2019
The claimant, Gregg, noticed an unusual lump under his arm and subsequently sought a medical opinion regarding it. His doctor incorrectly and negligently……
Groves v Lord Wimbourne
Example case summary. Last modified: June 14, 2019
The claimant was employed at the defendant’s iron works at a steam winch with revolving cog wheels. His right arm became trapped in the cog wheels……
Felthouse v Bindley – (1862)
Example case summary. Last modified: October 21, 2021
The complainant, Paul Felthouse, had a conversation with his nephew, John Felthouse, about buying his horse. After their discussion, the uncle replied by letter stating that if he didn’t hear anymore from his nephew concerning the horse, he would consider acceptance of the order done and he would own the horse….
Gillatt v Sky Television
Example case summary. Last modified: June 14, 2019
The contract provided for the determination by an independent chartered accountant of the share value….
Goodchild v Bradbury – 2006
Example case summary. Last modified: June 14, 2019
Goodchild was elderly. He owned some agricultural land. He gave plot – next to his house – to his nephew, Bradbury (who lived with him) as a……
Domestic Violence | Family Law Study Area | Law Teacher
Example case summary. Last modified: July 16, 2019
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……
Holland v Hodgson
Example case summary. Last modified: October 6, 2021
The considerations necessary to differentiate fixtures from chattels. The owner of a mill mortgaged the mill to the claimant. The owner also under the bankruptcy provisions relevant at the time transferred all of his property to a trustee, the defendant. …
Ford Motor Co v Amalgamated Union
Example case summary. Last modified: July 16, 2019
Ford Motors and trade unions reached collective agreements concerning employment conditions, signed by their representatives….
Dimskal Shipping v ITWF
Example case summary. Last modified: July 16, 2019
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……
Foulger v Newcomb
Example case summary. Last modified: July 16, 2019
The claimant was, amongst other things, a warrener and gamekeeper and he was regularly employed as such by neighbouring land occupiers….
Glasbrook v Glamorgan CC 1925
Example case summary. Last modified: October 28, 2021
During a strike at a colliery the colliery manager asked for additional police protection for the colliery and insisted he required police officers to be stationed on the premises….
Goldsoll v Goldman
Example case summary. Last modified: July 16, 2019
The plaintiff and the defendant carried out similar business as dealers of imitation jewellery. The defendant sold his business to the plaintiff……
Daniel v Drew – Case Summary
Example case summary. Last modified: July 16, 2019
A Hampshire farm was left in trust to sisters Mss Drew and Daniel. The sisters gave away their interest to their respective sons….
Hillas and Co v Arcos
Example case summary. Last modified: October 5, 2021
Interpretation of Terms – Agreement to Negotiate – Enforceability. Hillas bought some timber from the timer merchants Arcos Ltd. They purchased 22,000 units of timber, and the agreement also contained an option that they would be able to buy up to 100,000 units the next year at a discounted rate of 5%. …
Grogan v Robin Meredith Plant Hire – 1996
Example case summary. Last modified: July 16, 2019
The claimant, Grogan, was an employee of the defendant’s, Robin Meredith Plant Hire, and had signed an employment contract with them….
Froom v Butcher – 1976
Example case summary. Last modified: October 28, 2021
The plaintiff was not wearing a seatbelt whilst driving because he did not like seatbelts and because he had seen drivers being trapped after a crash because they wore a seatbelt. After a crash, the plaintiff suffered head and chest injuries and a broken finger….
Gough v Thorne – 1966
Example case summary. Last modified: June 14, 2019
The plaintiff was 13 and a half when she and her two brothers, aged 10 and 17, were standing on the pavement, waiting to cross……
Great Peace Shipping v Tsavliris
Example case summary. Last modified: October 5, 2021
The defendants, Tsavliris Salvage International Ltd, were a company that offered salvaging facilities to ships in the South Indian Ocean that needed assistance. A ship called the Cape Providence required help after it had endured structural damage at sea….
Derry v Peek – 1889
Example case summary. Last modified: September 28, 2021
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….
Foley v Classique Coaches Ltd
Example case summary. Last modified: June 17, 2019
Foley owned some land and a petrol station. He sold part of the land adjoining the station to Classique Coaches Ltd, a coach company….
Foakes v Beer – 1883
Example case summary. Last modified: March 13, 2026
Whether part payment of a debt is consideration. The respondent, Beer, loaned the appellant, Dr Foakes, £2090 19s. When he was unable to repay this loan she received a judgment in her favour to recover this amount…
Dickinson v Dodds
Example case summary. Last modified: September 28, 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….
Eminence Property Developments v Heaney
Example case summary. Last modified: June 14, 2019
Mr. Heaney purchased 13 flats from Eminence Property for an aggregate price, concluding 13 separate contracts, with identical terms……
Dalrymple v Dalrymple Summary
Example case summary. Last modified: June 14, 2019
A wife raised a claim against her husband for the restitution of conjugal rights. Due to family circumstances requiring secrecy……
Hammersmith and Fulham LBC v Monk
Example case summary. Last modified: June 17, 2019
Monk and Powell held a joint tenancy over a property. Following the termination of their relationship Powell desired to end her……
Eves v Eves – 1975
Example case summary. Last modified: December 30, 2020
The woman sought a declaration that she held a beneficial interest in the home. The woman contended the house had been jointly acquired……
Enfield Technical v Payne; Grace v BF Components
Example case summary. Last modified: July 16, 2019
Enfield Technical Services Ltd v Payne; Grace v BF Components Ltd [2008] EWCA Civ 393 case study. Illegality in employment contracts…
Gunthing v Lynn – 1831
Example case summary. Last modified: October 1, 2021
The court held that the condition to pay $5 extra for the horse if it was lucky, was deemed to be too vague to create a binding contract between the parties. The words contained in an agreement must be clear so that the parties can be sure of the terms upon they are contracting….
Holman v Johnson – 1775
Example case summary. Last modified: September 6, 2021
Agreement for the sale of tea at Dunkirk valid and value of tea recoverable. The plaintiff sold and delivered a quantity of tea to the defendant knowing that the defendant intended to smuggle it into England (without paying the relevant duty)….
Elder Dempster v Paterson Zochonis
Example case summary. Last modified: June 17, 2019
An action in tortious negligence was brought against a ship owner for failing to properly store cargo. In response, the ship owner attempted to rely……
Donnelly v Joyce – 1974
Example case summary. Last modified: June 14, 2019
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……
DPP v Smith – 1961
Example case summary. Last modified: September 29, 2021
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….
Hodgson v Trapp – 1989
Example case summary. Last modified: June 14, 2019
The claimant suffered extensive injuries as a result of the defendant’s negligence, as a consequence of which he was unable to take care of himself….
Hardwick Game Farm v Suffolk Agricultural Poultry Producers Association
Example case summary. Last modified: June 17, 2019
The wholesalers had purchased the supplies from two parties on their standard terms, which purported to exclude liability for latent defects….
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