Q&A

Question 1

Joel v Morrison [1834]

Answer 1

Servant’s negligent act during a detour

Distinguishes between incidental deviations and substantial detours (frolic)

Question 2

Rylands v Fletcher [1868]

Answer 2

Reservoir flooding coal mines

Strict liability for hazardous substances escaping land

Question 3

Nichols v Marsland [1876]

Answer 3

Artificial lakes burst due to extraordinary rainfall

‘Act of God’ defence for extraordinary natural events

Question 4

St. Helen’s Smelting Co v Tipping [1865]

Answer 4

Pollution damaged plaintiff’s trees

Actionable nuisance as substantial interference with property enjoyment

Question 5

Donoghue v Stevenson [1932]

Answer 5

Decomposed snail in ginger beer

Neighbour principle: duty of care based on reasonable foreseeability

Question 6

Hazeldine v Daw [1941]

Answer 6

Injury from faulty elevator repaired by contractor

Occupiers’ liability includes ensuring contractors’ safety

Question 7

Century Insurance Co v NI Transport Board [1942]

Answer 7

Employee caused explosion by throwing a match

Employer liable for employee acts within employment scope

Question 8

Bolton v Stone [1951]

Answer 8

Cricket ball injury from adjoining field

Liability based on magnitude and foreseeability of risk

Question 9

Paris v Stepney Borough Council [1951]

Answer 9

Worker blinded due to lack of protective goggles

Greater precautions for vulnerable individuals

Question 10

Latimer v AEC Ltd [1953]

Answer 10

Slip in factory despite precautions

Precautions must be reasonable balancing risk and practicality

Question 11

Stapley v Gypsum Mines Ltd [1953]

Answer 11

Miner killed ignoring safety instructions

Contributory negligence when claimant partly responsible

Question 12

Bolam v Friern Hospital Management Committee [1957]

Answer 12

Patient injured due to lack of restraints

Professionals judged by accepted standards in their field

Question 13

Wells v Cooper [1958]

Answer 13

Visitor injured by poorly fixed door handle

Laypersons held to competent amateur standard

Question 14

The Wagon Mound (No. 1) [1961]

Answer 14

Oil spill leading to fire

Liability limited to foreseeable harm

Question 15

Halsey v Esso Petroleum [1961]

Answer 15

Noise and pollution from oil depot

Substantial interference from noise/pollution constitutes nuisance

Question 16

Barnett v Chelsea & Kensington Hospital [1969]

Answer 16

Patient died despite hospital negligence

‘But-for’ causation: negligence must directly cause harm

Question 17

Morris v Murray [1991]

Answer 17

Plaintiff injured flying with intoxicated pilot

No liability if claimant voluntarily accepts known risks

Question 18

Alcock v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire [1991]

Answer 18

Psychiatric harm from witnessing Hillsborough disaster

Criteria established for secondary victim claims

Question 19

Caparo Industries plc v Dickman [1990]

Answer 19

Economic loss from reliance on audits

Duty of care test: foreseeability, proximity, fairness

Question 20

White v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire [1999]

Answer 20

Police psychiatric harm from disaster involvement

Rescuers must meet secondary victim criteria unless endangered

Question 21

Gray v Thames Trains [2009]

Answer 21

Claimant committed crime after psychiatric harm

Illegality defence bars compensation for criminal acts

Question 22

Covenant v Lawrence [2014]

Answer 22

Noise from motor-racing stadium

Noise disturbances actionable if significantly interfering

Question 23

Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board [2015]

Answer 23

Patient uninformed of childbirth risks

Medical informed consent: patients informed of material risks