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Littlewoods Organisations Ltd v Harris: CA 1977

When construing restrictive covenants in an employment contract, the court should construe the contract in the light of the object and intent of the contract as a whole. It may be read down and need not be read literally. Lord Denning said that it is just because there may be serious difficulties in identifying precisely … Continue reading Littlewoods Organisations Ltd v Harris: CA 1977

Gouriet v Union of Post Office Workers: HL 26 Jul 1977

The claimant sought an injunction to prevent the respondent Trades Union calling on its members to boycott mail to South Africa. The respondents challenged the ability of the court to make such an order. Held: The wide wording of the statute did not mean that the courts had, in effect, limitless powers to grant interlocutory … Continue reading Gouriet v Union of Post Office Workers: HL 26 Jul 1977

Acts

1267 – 1278 – 1285 – 1297 – 1361 – 1449 – 1491 – 1533 – 1677 – 1688 – 1689 – 1700 – 1706 – 1710 – 1730 – 1737 – 1738 – 1751 – 1774 – 1792 – 1793 – 1804 – 1814 – 1819 – 1824 – 1828 – 1831 – 1832 … Continue reading Acts

Trident Turboprop (Dublin) Ltd v First Flight Couriers Ltd: Comc 17 Jul 2008

Trident entered into Aircraft Operating Lease Agreements in identical terms with First Flight in respect of two ATP model aircraft. The leases represented the culmination of negotiations between a representative of the manufacturer, BAE Systems Regional Aircraft Limited (‘BAE’), and representatives of First Flight and were signed by a representative of BAE on behalf of … Continue reading Trident Turboprop (Dublin) Ltd v First Flight Couriers Ltd: Comc 17 Jul 2008

Amiri Flight Authority v BAE Systems Plc: CA 17 Oct 2003

The appellant had contracted to purchase maintenance from the defendant of aircraft it had also purchased from them. They sought damages for negligence, saying the defendants had failed to prevent a known risk of corrosion. The defendants argued that its contract excluded liability, and under the Act, that clause was not subjected to a test … Continue reading Amiri Flight Authority v BAE Systems Plc: CA 17 Oct 2003

Trident Turboprop (Dublin) Ltd v First Flight Couriers Ltd: CA 2 Apr 2009

The appellant entered into two aircraft leasing agreements but were unable to maintain payments. They appealed against rejection of their argument that the agreements were not exempt from the controls under the 1977 Act by being international supply agreements. Held: The appeal failed. The intention of section 26 was to exclude such agreements entirely from … Continue reading Trident Turboprop (Dublin) Ltd v First Flight Couriers Ltd: CA 2 Apr 2009

Trident Turboprop (Dublin) Ltd v First Flight Couriers Ltd; Comc 17 Jul 2008

References: [2008] EWHC 1686 (Comm), [2009] 1 All ER (Comm) 16 Links: Bailii Coram: Aikens J Trident entered into Aircraft Operating Lease Agreements in identical terms with First Flight in respect of two ATP model aircraft. The leases represented the culmination of negotiations between a representative of the manufacturer, BAE Systems Regional Aircraft Limited (‘BAE’), … Continue reading Trident Turboprop (Dublin) Ltd v First Flight Couriers Ltd; Comc 17 Jul 2008

AEG (UK) Limited v Logic Resource Limited: CA 20 Oct 1995

The question of the reasonableness of a clause must be assessed having regard to the relevant clause viewed as a whole: it is not right to take any particular part of the clause in isolation, although it must also be viewed against a breach of contract which is the subject matter of the case before … Continue reading AEG (UK) Limited v Logic Resource Limited: CA 20 Oct 1995

Office of Fair Trading v Foxtons Ltd: ChD 17 Jul 2008

Complaint was made that the Foxtons standard terms of acting in residential lettings were unfair. Foxtons objected to the jurisdiction of the Claimant to intervene. Held: On a challenge to an individual contract, the court would be able to see the term in the particular context and be better able to see its fairness or … Continue reading Office of Fair Trading v Foxtons Ltd: ChD 17 Jul 2008

Regus (UK) Ltd v Epcot Solutions Ltd: CA 15 Apr 2008

The appellant had contracted to provide office accomodation to the defendant. The air conditioning did not work and there were other defects. The appellant now challenged a finding of liability and that its contract terms which were said to totally exclude liability were unfair under the 1977 Act. Held: The appeal succeeded. Alternative remedies would … Continue reading Regus (UK) Ltd v Epcot Solutions Ltd: CA 15 Apr 2008

Spreadex Ltd v Cochrane: ComC 18 May 2012

The spread betting bookmaker claimed summary judgment in respect of a consumer, Mr Cochrane, who had made certain initial personal trades with significant profitability. In his absence, without his knowledge and authorisation, his account was tinkered with by a child who, by playing on the computer, effected through it a number of ‘trades’ which caused … Continue reading Spreadex Ltd v Cochrane: ComC 18 May 2012

Meadows Indemnity Co Ltd v The Insurance Corporation of Ireland plc and Another: CA 1989

A claim was made for declaratory relief. Held: The Claimant, a re-insurer, did not have locus to claim a declaration that the main insurer could avoid the main contract of insurance, to which the Claimant was not a party. The court considered ‘the general policy of the law to resolve disputes between all parties in … Continue reading Meadows Indemnity Co Ltd v The Insurance Corporation of Ireland plc and Another: CA 1989

Overy v Paypal (Europe) Ltd: QBD 2 Mar 2012

The claimant had sought to conduct a competition to sell his house, the entry fees being collected by the defendant internet payment services provider. The defendant terminated the service to him, and he complained that that caused him substantial damages, and that the terms were unfair. Held: ‘Mr Overy is not entitled to the protection … Continue reading Overy v Paypal (Europe) Ltd: QBD 2 Mar 2012

JP Morgan Chase Bank and others v Springwell Navigation Corporation: Comc 27 May 2008

The company alleged negligence by its financial advisers. Held: Gloster J said that the absence of a written advisory agreement is a strong pointer against the existence of a free-standing duty of care to give investment advice. Gloster J said: ‘terms which simply define the basis upon which services will be rendered and confirm the … Continue reading JP Morgan Chase Bank and others v Springwell Navigation Corporation: Comc 27 May 2008

Feetum v Levy: CA 2006

Jonathan Parker LJ discussed the granting of declarations: ‘things have indeed moved on since the Meadows case was decided; and the courts should not nowadays apply such a restrictive meaning to the passage in Lord Diplock’s speech in Gouriet’s case’. Judges: Jonathan Parker LJ Citations: [2006] Ch 585 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – … Continue reading Feetum v Levy: CA 2006

Wilson v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry; Wilson v First County Trust Ltd (No 2): HL 10 Jul 2003

The respondent appealed against a finding that the provision which made a loan agreement completely invalid for lack of compliance with the 1974 Act was itself invalid under the Human Rights Act since it deprived the respondent lender of its property rights. It was also argued that it was not possible to make a declaration … Continue reading Wilson v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry; Wilson v First County Trust Ltd (No 2): HL 10 Jul 2003

Percy v Church of Scotland Board of National Mission: HL 15 Dec 2005

The claimant appealed after her claim for sex discrimination had failed. She had been dismissed from her position an associate minister of the church. The court had found that it had no jurisdiction, saying that her appointment was not an employment. However the jurisdiction in sex discrimination cases was wider, extending to those who ‘contract … Continue reading Percy v Church of Scotland Board of National Mission: HL 15 Dec 2005

McNicholas Plc v AEI Cables Limited: TCC 25 May 1999

The claimant had subcontracted to supply cabling on the defendant’s project. The contract provided both for the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts but also for arbitration. The defendant applied for the action to be stayed and referred to arbitration. The claimant said the clause was ineffective being uncertain within s9 of the 1996 Act, … Continue reading McNicholas Plc v AEI Cables Limited: TCC 25 May 1999

Schenkers Limited v Overland Shoes Limited and Schenkers International Deutschland Gmbh v Overland Shoes Limited: CA 12 Feb 1998

A clause in a shipping freight contract using the standard British International Freight Association terms disallowing a set-off was not unreasonable. The clause read ‘The customer shall pay to the company in cash or as otherwise agreed all sums immediately when due, without reduction or deferment on account of any claim, counterclaim or set off’. … Continue reading Schenkers Limited v Overland Shoes Limited and Schenkers International Deutschland Gmbh v Overland Shoes Limited: CA 12 Feb 1998

George Mitchell (Chesterhall) Ltd v Finney Lock Seeds Ltd: CA 29 Sep 1982

The buyer bought 30lbs of cabbage seed, but the seed was not correct, and the crop was worthless. The seed cost pounds 192, but the farmer lost pounds 61,000. The seed supplier appealed the award of the larger amount and interest, saying that their contract limited their liability to the cost of the seed. Held: … Continue reading George Mitchell (Chesterhall) Ltd v Finney Lock Seeds Ltd: CA 29 Sep 1982

HIH Casualty and General Insurance Limited and others v Chase Manhattan Bank and others: HL 20 Feb 2003

The insurance company had paid claims on policies used to underwrite the production of TV films. The re-insurers resisted the claims against them by the insurers on the grounds of non-disclosure by the insured, or in the alternative damages for misrepresentation. The policies were novel and sophisticated contracts and included clauses modifying the duties of … Continue reading HIH Casualty and General Insurance Limited and others v Chase Manhattan Bank and others: HL 20 Feb 2003

Cavendish Square Holding Bv v Talal El Makdessi; ParkingEye Ltd v Beavis: SC 4 Nov 2015

The court reconsidered the law relating to penalty clauses in contracts. The first appeal, Cavendish Square Holding BV v Talal El Makdessi, raised the issue in relation to two clauses in a substantial commercial contract. The second appeal, ParkingEye Ltd v Beavis, raised the issue at a consumer level, with a separate issue under the … Continue reading Cavendish Square Holding Bv v Talal El Makdessi; ParkingEye Ltd v Beavis: SC 4 Nov 2015

St Albans City and District Council v International Computers Ltd: QBD 11 Nov 1994

A liability limitation in a computer contract was an unfair contract term since it was a standard term, and it restricted liability when there had been no attempt to justify the amount chosen for the limit by reference, for example, to a consideration of the cost of insurance. Citations: Times 11-Nov-1994, (1995) 21 FSR 686 … Continue reading St Albans City and District Council v International Computers Ltd: QBD 11 Nov 1994

Smith v Eric S Bush, a firm etc: HL 20 Apr 1989

In Smith, the lender instructed a valuer who knew that the buyer and mortgagee were likely to rely on his valuation alone. The valuer said his terms excluded responsibility. The mortgagor had paid an inspection fee to the building society and received a copy of the report, and relying on it, had bought the house. … Continue reading Smith v Eric S Bush, a firm etc: HL 20 Apr 1989

Assicurazioni Generali Spa v Arab Insurance Group (BSC): CA 13 Nov 2002

Rehearing/Review – Little Difference on Appeal The appellant asked the Court to reverse a decision on the facts reached in the lower court. Held: The appeal failed (Majority decision). The court’s approach should be the same whether the case was dealt with as a rehearing or as a review. Tanfern was limited to appeals from … Continue reading Assicurazioni Generali Spa v Arab Insurance Group (BSC): CA 13 Nov 2002

National Westminster Bank v Utrecht-America Finance Company: CA 10 May 2001

An agreement between the parties for assignment or novation of a credit agreement, contained a ‘take out’ agreement (‘TOA’). The defendant began proceedings in California to rescind the agreement, and the claimants obtained summary judgement under the TOA and an injunction to prevent the defendants proceeding in California. The defendants appealed. There were allegations of … Continue reading National Westminster Bank v Utrecht-America Finance Company: CA 10 May 2001

Johnson v Gore Wood and Co: HL 14 Dec 2000

Shareholder May Sue for Additional Personal Losses A company brought a claim of negligence against its solicitors, and, after that claim was settled, the company’s owner brought a separate claim in respect of the same subject-matter. Held: It need not be an abuse of the court for a shareholder to seek damages against advisers to … Continue reading Johnson v Gore Wood and Co: HL 14 Dec 2000

McBride v Scottish Police Authority (Scotland): SC 15 Jun 2016

The court was asked whether the employment tribunal had been correct, after finding that the appellant had been unfairly dismissed, to order her reinstatement. She had worked as a fingerprint officer, but her reinstatement was to be on terms that she should not attend court in her role. The court was now asked whether an … Continue reading McBride v Scottish Police Authority (Scotland): SC 15 Jun 2016

Rolls-Royce plc v Unite the Union: CA 14 May 2009

The parties disputed whether the inclusion of length of service within a selection matrix for redundancy purposes would amount to unlawful age discrimination. The court was asked whether it was correct to make a declaratory judgment when the case had otherwise been effectively settled. Held: With considerable misgivings, the court agreed to hear the appeal. … Continue reading Rolls-Royce plc v Unite the Union: CA 14 May 2009

Ghaidan v Godin-Mendoza: HL 21 Jun 2004

Same Sex Partner Entitled to tenancy Succession The protected tenant had died. His same-sex partner sought a statutory inheritance of the tenancy. Held: His appeal succeeded. The Fitzpatrick case referred to the position before the 1998 Act: ‘Discriminatory law undermines the rule of law because it is the antithesis of fairness. It brings the law … Continue reading Ghaidan v Godin-Mendoza: HL 21 Jun 2004

Victoria and Albert Museum v Durrant: EAT 5 Jan 2011

EAT UNFAIR DISMISSAL Reason for dismissal including some other substantial reason The correct interpretation of section 106 of Employment Rights Act 1996 (‘the Act’) was considered. The condition set by section 106(2)(a) of the Act will not be met unless there is clear and unambiguous language used in the written information given to the employee … Continue reading Victoria and Albert Museum v Durrant: EAT 5 Jan 2011

Photo Production Ltd v Securicor Transport Ltd: HL 14 Feb 1980

Interpretation of Exclusion Clauses The plaintiffs had contracted with the defendants for the provision of a night patrol service for their factory. The perils the parties had in mind were fire and theft. A patrol man deliberately lit a fire which burned down the factory. It was an unresolved issue whether the employee intended to … Continue reading Photo Production Ltd v Securicor Transport Ltd: HL 14 Feb 1980

Paragon Finance plc v Nash etc: CA 15 Oct 2001

The court was asked to consider whether there was any implied term limiting the power of a mortgagee to set interest rates under a variable rate mortgage. Held: A loan arrangement which allowed a lender to vary the implied rate of interest, included an implied term not to impose an unreasonable or extortionate rate, nor … Continue reading Paragon Finance plc v Nash etc: CA 15 Oct 2001

Ready Mixed Concrete Southeast Ltd v Minister of Pensions and National Insurance: QBD 8 Dec 1967

Contracts of service or for services In three cases appeals were heard against a finding as to whether a worker was entitled to have his employer pay National Insurance contributions on his behalf which would apply if he were an employee. He worked as an ‘owner-driver’ Held: The court asked what was the test of … Continue reading Ready Mixed Concrete Southeast Ltd v Minister of Pensions and National Insurance: QBD 8 Dec 1967

Pickstone v Freemans Plc: HL 30 Jun 1988

The claimant sought equal pay with other, male, warehouse operatives who were doing work of equal value but for more money. The Court of Appeal had held that since other men were also employed on the same terms both as to pay and work, her claim failed. Held: The claim was not disbarred in this … Continue reading Pickstone v Freemans Plc: HL 30 Jun 1988

Investors Compensation Scheme Ltd v West Bromwich Building Society: HL 19 Jun 1997

Account taken of circumstances wihout ambiguity The respondent gave advice on home income plans. The individual claimants had assigned their initial claims to the scheme, but later sought also to have their mortgages in favour of the respondent set aside. Held: Investors having once assigned their causes of action to the ICS, could not later … Continue reading Investors Compensation Scheme Ltd v West Bromwich Building Society: HL 19 Jun 1997

British Home Stores Ltd v Burchell: EAT 1978

B had been dismissed for allegedly being involved with a number of other employees in acts of dishonesty relating to staff purchases. She had denied the abuse. The tribunal had found the dismissal unfair in the methods used to decide to dismiss her. Held: The company’s appeal was allowed. The store had reasonable grounds for … Continue reading British Home Stores Ltd v Burchell: EAT 1978

Willow Oak Developments Ltd. (T/A Windsor Recruitment) v Silverwood and others: CA 25 May 2006

The employer appealed a finding that he had been unreasonable in seeking to vary the employment contracts of his staff by adding post employment restrictive covenants, and that the consequent dismissals were unfair. Copies of the new contracts had been handed to employees without prior notice and with an instruction to sign the within thirty … Continue reading Willow Oak Developments Ltd. (T/A Windsor Recruitment) v Silverwood and others: CA 25 May 2006