Case Summaries
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R v Hennessy - 1989
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
Diabetes and defences – automatism or insanity in hyperglycaemic cases. The appellant (a diabetic) was apprehended while driving a stolen car. He later collapsed at the police station it became apparent that he was having a diabetic episode....
R v Sullivan [1984] AC 156
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
The defendant, a psychomotor epilepsy sufferer, had an epileptic seizure during which he kicked the victim in the head violently. He was charged with causing Grievous Bodily Harm contrary to sections 18 and 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861...
R v Dawson - 1985
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
The defendant approached a petrol station manned by a 50 year old male. The defendants attempted a robbery with an imitation gun and a pick-axe handle. The defendants demanded money but did not touch the attendant who pressed the alarm button and the defendants ran away without obtaining any cash....
R v Franklin - 1883
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
Mr Franklin took up a larger box from Brighton Pier and threw it into the sea. The victim was swimming underneath in the sea at the time and was struck by the box and died....
George Mitchell v Finney Lock Seeds - 1983
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
The Claimant (George Mitchell) and the Defendant (Finney Lock Seeds Ltd) entered into an agreement where the Defendant would supply the Claimant with 30lb of Dutch winter cabbage seed....
Thompson v London, Midland and Scottish Railway
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
Thompson was unable to read and she travelled on a train with her daughter and niece. On the back of her ticket it was printed that the tickets were issued subject to the terms outlined in the company’s time tables. ...
Co-operative Insurance v Argyll Stores
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
The plaintiffs granted a lease to the defendant for the use of a unit in a shopping centre for the period of thirty-five years. A clause in the lease required a covenant to keep the premises open for trade during regular business hours in the local area....
Mullin v Richards 1998
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
The defendant was a 15-year-old girl who play-fought with rulers with another 15-year-old girl (the claimant). In the course of the game, the defendant’s ruler snapped, causing a splinter to hit the claimant in the eye, blinding her....
Granatino v Radmacher
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
A French investment banker married a very wealthy German national. Prior to the marriage, at the request of the wife’s family, an anti-nuptial agreement was signed by both parties....
Barry v Davies - 2000
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
Two brand new engine analyser machines owned by Customs and Exise were put up for auction by the defendant auctioneer. Each could be procured from the manufacturer for £14,521 but despite this were listed without a reserve price....
Shanklin Pier v Detel Products - 1951
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
The Plaintiffs were owners of a pier in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. They entered into a contract with contractors to have the pier repaired and painted. Under the contract the plaintiff had the express right to alter the contract....
Scriven Bros v Hindley - 1913 3 KB 564
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
The complainants, Scriven Bros and Co, instructed an auctioneer to sell large bales of tow and hemp on behalf of them at an auction. The bales looked rather similar in the way they were packaged and the samples that were on display to potential bidders were not easily distinguishable....
Canada Steamship Lines v The King
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
Canada Steamship Lines entered into a Crown lease in 1940. The Duration of the lease was for 12 years and the lease pertained to dock property on St Gabriel Basin on the Lachine Canal. All of this was situated in the Port of Montreal....
Kaitamaki v R
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
The defendant was convicted of breaking into the victim’s flat and raping her twice. There was no dispute that sexual intercourse had taken place on two occasions, but the defendant contended that the victim had consented or that he had a reasonable belief that she was consenting....
Pearce v Brooks - Summary
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
The defendant was a prostitute who hired a carriage from the plaintiff, who was a coachbuilder, on hire purchase terms to be paid for in instalments. She wanted the carriage to attract customers. ...
Rickards v Lothian - 1913
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
Natural versus non-natural use of land, domestic water supply, malicious act of third party. The claimant rented premises on the second floor of a building which was used for commercial purposes and ran a business from the premises he was renting....
McKew v Holland - 1969
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
In the course of his employment, the complainant had suffered injuries, which meant his left leg could give way underneath him. A few days after the incident and while in his recovery, the complainant tried to come down a set of steep steps, which did not have a handrail....
Revill v Newbery - 1996
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
William Newbery (N) slept in a shed on his allotment to protect his property at night. Mark Revill (R) and his accomplice Grainger (G) trespassed onto the allotment and attempted to break into the shed....
May and Butcher Ltd v The King
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
After the end of the First World War, the Government had a surplus of tents which were no longer required by the army. As a result, the Government’s disposal’s board was set up to sell these tents. They agreed to sell tents to May and Butcher Ltd who left £1,000 as a security deposit for their purchases. ...
R v Williams and Davies - 1992
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
The defendants picked up a hitchhiker who was on his way to Glastonbury festival. The defendants then attempted to rob the victim who became agitated and afraid and in this mental state jumped out of the moving vehicle which was travelling at 30 mph. ...
Murray v Ministry of Defence - 1988
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
Margaret Murray, M, was a suspect of aiding IRA, a prohibited organisation in Northern Ireland. D and five soldiers arrived at M’s house to arrest M at 7a. D ascertained M’s identity, assembled all the occupants of the house in one room, and searched the house....
Tsakiroglou & Co Ltd v Noblee Thorl
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
The appellants agreed to sell to the respondents Sudanese groundnuts for shipment to Hamburg during November/December 1956. The agreement included a CIF (cost, insurance and freight) term (requiring the seller to arrange the carriage of the goods by sea to Hamburg....
Marc Rich v Bishop Rock
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
During a voyage a ship developed a crack in its hull. The ships owners requested its classification society to inspect the damage. An employee of the classification society advised that the ship should be put into dry dock in order for repairs to be carried out....
Antonaides v Villiers [1990]
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
Occupiers signed agreement expressly stated to be a license; whether agreement a sham. Mr Villiers and his partner signed separate but identical agreements to occupy a one bedroom flat owned by Mr Antonaides, where they would live as husband and wife....
Hollywood Silver Fox Farm v Emmett
Example case summary. Last modified: 28th Oct 2021
The claimant bred silver foxes for their fur. The foxes are, by their nature, of a timid disposition and are easily scared. When they are scared they are liable to miscarry. The defendant was a farmer and animal rights activist who owned land adjoining to the fox farm....
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