The landlord served a section 146 notice and the tenant served a counternotice under the 1938 Act. The landlord sought leave to forfeit the lease. Held: Leave was given under ground (e) to forfeit the lease of a public house which had closed for business in 1998 and then had been vandalised and finally destroyed … Continue reading Landmaster Properties Limited v Thackeray Property Services Limited: 2003
The Court considered the effect of a note or memorandum evidencing the sale of a property where it was described as ‘6,8 and 41, Boundary Street, Shoreditch (freehold).’ It was sought to connect the signature on a purchaser’s deposit cheque with an unsigned memorandum that stated the terms of the contract. Held: Jenkins LJ said: … Continue reading Timmins v Moreland Street Property Co Ltd: CA 1958
A ‘subject to contract’ document might be evidence of an antecedent or oral contract and satisfy section 40 of the Law of Property Act 1925 if the stipulation was later waived. A memorandum or note must, if it is to be effective, not only state the terms of the contract but also contain an acknowledgement … Continue reading Law v Jones: 1974
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS – Discharge – pub on housing estate – restriction on use to hotelier and licensed victualler – objectors seeking to keep pub open – possibility of pub closing – held that the restriction does not secure practical benefits to the objectors – Tribunal’s discretion to modify – application allowed – Law of Property … Continue reading James Hall and Company (Property) Ltd v Maughan and Others, Re The Aclet (Restrictive Covenants): UTLC 8 Jun 2017
The parties entered into a written contract for the sale of land which, in error, provided for completion on a Sunday. The parties varied the date to the Friday but did not execute a new contract which would comply with section 2(1) of the 1989 Act. Time was not initially of the essence of the … Continue reading McCausland and Another v Duncan Lawrie Ltd and Another: CA 18 Jun 1996
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The parties disputed whether a contract had been entered into for the sale of land, and whether new evidence could be entered on an appeal against a strike out. The estate agents had signed a contract as agents for the mortgagee in possession, but the mortgagee said that they has acted outside their agency. Eventually … Continue reading Rudra v Abbey National Plc and Stickley and Kent (Risk Management Unit) Limited: CA 26 Feb 1998
The deceased had effectively settled his divorce ancillary relief proceedings by promising to leave a property by will to to his former wife, the claimant. He signed a document which appeared to be intended to give effect to his undertaking, but the document was not executed as a will. The respondents said that the agreement … Continue reading Irani v Irani and others: ChD 24 Jul 2006
The court considered the nature of an option to buy land. Hoffman J said: ‘The granting of the option imposes no obligation upon the purchaser and an obligation upon the vendor which is contingent upon the exercise of the option. When the option is exercised, the vendor and purchaser come under obligations to perform as … Continue reading Spiro v Glencrown Properties Ltd and Another: ChD 1991
The bank appealed against a decision that the simple deposit of deeds with a bank did not take effect as an equitable charge. Held: Depositing deeds with a bank is not sufficient to create a charge over them. The old law as to the creation of an equitable mortgage by deposit of deeds had been … Continue reading United Bank of Kuwait Plc v Sahib and Others: CA 2 Feb 1996
The court discussed the need for some system of acquisition of right by user. Lord Denning MR said: ‘the long user as of right should by our law be given a lawful origin if that can be done.’ Stamp LJ said: ‘if long enjoyment of a right is shown, the court will strive to uphold … Continue reading Davis v Whitby: CA 1974
In a contract the Defendants promised certain properties to whoever first arrived with the requisite draft contract and bankers drafts. The Plaintiffs did. Held: They failed in their claim. It involved a unilateral contract and the Defendants’ oral promises was expressly made subject to contract, but the Court decided the dispute by reference to the … Continue reading Daulia Ltd v Four Millbank Nominees Ltd: 1978
“Subject to Contract” not to be diluted ‘subject to contract’ proposals remain in negotiation until a formal contract is executed. Lord Denning MR said: ‘for over a hundred years, the courts have held that the effect of the words ‘subject to contract’ is that the matter remains in negotiation until a formal contract is executed’ … Continue reading Tiverton Estates Ltd v Wearwell Ltd: CA 1975
The plaintiff sought specific performance of what he said was a contract for the sale of land. Held: The appeal succeeded. In a case where a contract is alleged to have been made by an exchange of correspondence between the parties, in which the successive communications other than the first are in reply to one … Continue reading Gibson v Manchester City Council: HL 8 Mar 1979
John Chadwick QC said of a clause restricting a contract variation not in writing: ‘One can see why such a provision is included in a contract for the sale and purchase of land. All material terms of a contract for the sale of land must be evidenced . .
A mere payment of a sum of money might amount to an act of part performance, as might the act of a purchaser instructing solicitors to prepare and submit a draft conveyance or transfer, so as to leave asituation capable of enforcement in equity. . .
The two deceased had made mutual wills bequeathing the family home. The survivor transferred the property during his life to defeat the agreement. It was now said that the arrangement fell foul of the 1989 Act and was unenforceable. Held: Subject to the 1989 Act the arrangement was enforceable. As to the 1989 Act: ‘section … Continue reading Healey v Brown: ChD 25 Apr 2002
The plaintiffs had paid deposits for apartments which were to be built. After the developer became insolvent the plaintiffs sought recovery of the deposits, saying they had a lien which preceded the claims of chargees. Held: The one appeal failed and another succeeded. ‘the circumstances in which a purchaser’s lien will arise are not limited … Continue reading Chattey and Another v Farndale Holdings Inc and others: CA 11 Oct 1996
The court considered the significance of a reservation that a letter was sent ‘subject to licence’. After considering case law: ‘All three go to show that there is a distinction recognised by the law between the relationships, such as those between landlord and tenant, where there is an existing set of legal obligations between the … Continue reading Venetian Glass Gallery Ltd v Next Properties Ltd.: 1989
The plaintiffs claimed large-scale copyright infringement, and obtained Anton Pillar orders. The House considered the existence of the privilege against self-incrimination where the Anton Piller type of order has been made. The Court of Appeal had decided that the court should abstain from making an order ex parte requiring immediate answers to interrogatories or disclosure … Continue reading Rank Film Distributors v Video Information Centre: HL 1 Mar 1981
Beneficial equitable interests in land were overreached by a mortgage despite no the fact that no capital was actually advanced under the charge. Citations: Gazette 13-Nov-1996, Times 07-Nov-1996, [1996] EWCA Civ 835 Statutes: Law of Property Act 1925 2(1)(ii) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Williams and Glyn’s Bank Ltd v Boland CA 1979 … Continue reading State of India v Sood and Others: CA 30 Oct 1996
The County court may not suspend a possession order pending an application to the High Court for an order for sale. The court considered the protection given by s15(1) of the 1970 Act, and found the protection to be limited, but nevertheless of considerable value to mortgagors who are in default. Citations: Gazette 20-Nov-1996, Times … Continue reading Cheltenham and Gloucester Building Society v Krausz: CA 22 Oct 1996
Citations: [2007] EWHC 387 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Law of Property Act 1925 84(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Land Updated: 24 October 2022; Ref: scu.526404
The tenant appealed against an order granting possession. The tenancy, being held of a mutual housing co-operative did not have security but was in a form restricting the landlord’s right to recover possession, and the tenant resisted saying that it was worded to create a lease for life (applying the LRB case). Held: The tenant’s … Continue reading Berrisford v Mexfield Housing Co-Operative Ltd: SC 9 Nov 2011
RESTRICTIVE COVENANT – modification – open land – covenant prohibiting erection of any building – application to modify to permit construction of 17 dwellinghouses and seven garages – application refused – Law of Property Act 1925 s84(1) (aa). Citations: [2011] UKUT 91 (LC) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Land Updated: 13 September 2022; Ref: … Continue reading George Wimpey Bristol Ltd v Gloucestershire Housing Association Ltd: UTLC 14 Mar 2011
UTLC RESTRICTIVE COVENANT – application to modify a restriction so as to reduce the size of a shared vehicle turning area – whether practical benefits of substantial value or advantage secured by the restriction – whether money will be adequate compensation for loss or disadvantage -whether express or implied consent – whether modification will cause … Continue reading Re Thistledew, 6A Nottingham Road: UTLC 18 Feb 2011
The parties, on divorcing had a greed, under court order that W should obtain the release of H from his covenants under the mortgage of the family home. She had been unable to do so, and sought that order to be varied to allow postponement of her performance until the youngest child attained 18. H … Continue reading Birch v Birch: SC 26 Jul 2017
The court was asked ‘whether a contract of guarantee is enforceable where contained not in a single document signed by the guarantor but in a series of documents duly authenticated by the signature of the guarantor. It is common in commercial transactions for a contract of guarantee to be contained in a single document, and … Continue reading Golden Ocean Group Ltd v Salgaocar Mining Industries Pvt Ltd and Another: CA 9 Mar 2012
No general distinction is to be drawn between the two types of mortgage and sub-mortgage. The court considered the practice for a mortgagor to attorn tenant to his mortgagee. The tenancy contained no covenants and was merely a device to give the mortgagee a right to obtain summary judgment for possession under the Small Tenements … Continue reading Regent Oil Co Ltd v JA Gregory (Hatch End) Ltd: CA 1966
Citations: [2006] EWLands LP – 33 – 2005 Links: Bailii Statutes: Law of Property Act 1925 84 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Land, Costs Updated: 18 August 2022; Ref: scu.240454
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS – discharge or modification – part of garden of dwelling house – prohibition on erecting any building – proposal to erect bungalow – whether restrictions securing practical benefits of substantial value or advantage – whether objectors’ failure to pursue objection to hearing implies consent – whether injury – covenant modified – Law of … Continue reading Gerrard, Re an Application: LT 10 Jan 2007
The appellant, Mr Lewis had been granted a tenancy by the appellant on its standard terms. Notice was given to terminate the tenancy. The tenant appealed against a ruling that he had not acquired a tenaancy for 90 years under the 1925 Act. Held: The appeal failed.Nourse LJ analysed the section: ‘First, the word ‘determinable’ … Continue reading Bass Holdings Ltd v Lewis: CA 29 Jul 1986
RESTRICTIVE COVENANT – modification – use of shop for sale of alcohol – whether restriction obsolete – change in character of neighbourhood – whether practical benefits secured – application refused – Law of Property Act 1925, s84(1)(a) (aa) and (c) Citations: [2006] EWLands LP – 79 – 2004 Links: Bailii Statutes: Law of Property Act … Continue reading Morgan, Re: LT 18 Jul 2006
LT RESTRICTIVE COVENANT – modification – building scheme – proposed bungalow -practical benefits of substantial value or advantage – outlook – overlooking – traffic – peace and quiet – precedent – integrity of estate – application refused – Law of Property Act 1925, s 84(1)(aa). Citations: [2008] EWLands LP – 40 – 2006 Links: Bailii … Continue reading Cordwell, Re: LT 7 May 2008
The claimants appealed an order finding that the defendant had acquired their land by adverse possession. They said that the defendant had asserted in defence to possession proceedings that they were tenants, and that this contradicted an intent to deny the claimants’ title. Held: The appeal failed. A finding by the ECHR that a particular … Continue reading Ofulue and Another v Bossert: CA 29 Jan 2008
The claimant sought rectification of the land register. In a development deal, an option agreement had not been registered, and the land sold on. The land was required to allow the building of a roundabout necessary for the intended store. An application had been made for registration of the option, but requisitions had not been … Continue reading Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd v Olympia Homes Limited, Hughes etc: ChD 17 Jun 2005
The parties had agreed for a lease, and the tenant entered possession, but no formal lease was executed. The tenant stopped paying rent in 1977 or 1984. He now claimed rectification of the registers to show him as proprietor. The landlord argued that as a lease in writing, time ran from the notice to quit. … Continue reading Long v Tower Hamlets London Borough Council: ChD 20 Mar 1996
The applicant challenged the exercise of a power of sale under a mortgage, saying that the mortgagee’s purposes included purposes not those under the mortgage. The parties had been involved in an attempted development of a penthouse. Held: The power was validly exercised. Provided the recovery of the sums for which the security was given … Continue reading Meretz Investments Nv and Another v ACP Ltd and others: ChD 30 Jan 2006
The appellants challenged the removal of a restrictive covenant on a neighbour’s house restricting further building on the land to allow further house in the garden. It was in a small close of houses all erected, and the covenant imposed, in 1952. It was in effect part of a building scheme. The tribunal had found … Continue reading Shephard and others v Turner and Another: CA 23 Jan 2006
The defendant entered into an agreement for lease, incurring substantial obligations. When it could not meet them it sought assistance from the claimant, who now claimed to have an interest in a joint venture. The draft documentation originally suggested a loan, but then changed. Disagreements persisted after completion. Held: There was insufficient agreement to constitute … Continue reading Kilcarne Holdings Ltd v Targetfollow (Birmingham) Ltd, Targetfollow Group Ltd: ChD 9 Nov 2004
The plaintiffs had bought a cottage subjecty to a tenancy to the defendant. They sought possession saying that she held under a tenancy at will. It was a renancy for her life but described as a tenancy at will. The judge had held that the other terms were quite inconsistent with a tenancy at will. … Continue reading Binions v Evans: CA 27 Jan 1972
The deceased had assigned his coal merchant business to the respondent against a promise to pay andpound;5.00 a week to his widow whilst she lived. The respondent appealed an order requiring him to make the payments, saying that as a consolidating Act, the 1925 Act should not be read to change the common law. Held: … Continue reading Beswick v Beswick: HL 29 Jun 1967
The plaintiff acquired land on which 27 chalets were erected. They served notice to quit so that the site could be developed. The defendants argued that they had residential tenancies with protection under the Rent Act 1977. Held: The tenants’ appeals succeeded. A built structure becomes part of the land and itself real property, according … Continue reading Elitestone Ltd v Morris and Another: HL 1 May 1997
RESTRICTIVE COVENANT – discharge – modification – covenants restricting residential redevelopment of dwellings and outbuildings forming part of grounds of listed house – benefit personal to covenantee and his family – sale of majority of benefited land to third party – whether covenants obsolete in respect of retained land under ground (a) – grounds (aa) … Continue reading Coombes, Re: Brainshaugh House: UTLC 12 Jun 2012
A deed granting access to a common in accordance with the section included access by horseback as well as by foot. The court upheld the Inspector’s decision that the 20-year user of the land relied upon by the applicant for the modification was not ‘as of right’ because a revocable deed by the landowner’s predecessor … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Environment ex parte Billson: Admn 16 Feb 1998
UTLC RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS – discharge or modification – building not to be used for any purpose other than maternal clinic – whether obsolete – whether injury caused to objector – application granted – Law of Property Act 1925 s84(1)(a) and (c). Citations: [2009] UKUT 114 (LC) Links: Bailii Statutes: Law of Property Act 1925 84 … Continue reading Abertawe Bro Morgannwg NHS University Trust v Coedffranc Community Council: UTLC 23 Jun 2009
UTLC RESTRICTIVE COVENANT – modification – unopposed application – restriction limiting plot to one dwellinghouse – modified so as to allow for the demolition of the existing property and its replacement with three detached houses and garages – grounds (a), (aa) and (c). Citations: [2009] UKUT 115 (LC) Links: Bailii Statutes: Law of Property Act … Continue reading Hayes, Re 197 Long Lane: UTLC 29 Jun 2009
Land was sold. The parties disputed whether a greenhouse was included. Held: It was a large greenhouse consisting of a sectional frame bolted to a large concrete base. ‘Building’ was to be given the meaning ascribed by s62 of the 1925 Act. The greenhouse was not sufficiently affixed but rested by its own weight on … Continue reading Deen v Andrews: 1986
The fact that a way is not itself made up or identifiable on the ground may not be fatal to the establishment of an easement under Wheeldon v. Burrows or section 62 of the 1925 Act, if the ends of the way are apparent and it is clear that it was the intention of the … Continue reading Hansford v Jago: 1921
The court discussed the duties of a vendor to the property between exchange and completion: ‘These duties and rights [of a purchaser] arise from the contract of sale and it is because of their existence that the vendor is said to be a constructive trustee, or a trustee sub modo, of the estate for the … Continue reading Berkely v Poulett: CA 1977
A property adjustment order cannot be made against a bankrupt former spouse because the property of the bankrupt vests in the trustee in bankruptcy against whom an order under section 24 cannot be made. It was highly unlikely that postponement of payment of the debts would cause any great hardship to any of the creditors. … Continue reading In re Holliday: CA 1981
The court considered an assertion that a right of necessity was implied into a deed. Held: ‘In the present case the land conveyed was plainly intended to be used for building purposes, and of course it plainly needed access for building materials and for the occupants of the houses when constructed: yet there was the … Continue reading Nickerson v Barraclough (1): ChD 1980
The Vice-Chancellor said: ‘if land is conveyed in circumstances which otherwise would create a way of necessity, or a way implied from the common intention of the parties based on a necessity apparent from the deeds, does public policy prevent the creation of such a way from, being negatived by an express term in the … Continue reading Nickerson v Barraclough (2): ChD 2 Jan 1980
Houses were built next to a common. Over many years the owners had driven over the common. The landowners appealed a decision that they could not acquire a right of way by prescription over the common because such use had been unlawful as a criminal offence under section 193 of the Law of Property Act … Continue reading Bakewell Management Limited v Brandwood and others: HL 1 Apr 2004
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
Citations: [2018] EWHC 4018 (Ch) Links: Bailii Statutes: Law of Property Act 1925 84(2) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Land Updated: 06 April 2022; Ref: scu.655441
The claimant sub-tenant had been injured entering the block of apartments. He said that the freeholder was responsible despite no report of the disrepair having been made. The lease excused the landlord from unnotified liability. The parties acknowledged that section 11 of the 1985 Act could not be set aside by the contract. Held: The … Continue reading Edwards v Kumarasamy: SC 13 Jul 2016
The parties disputed whether a contract had been made. The proposed contract was contained in a letter and a plan but only the plan was signed by both parties. Held: The requirements of Section 2 had not been satisfied because it was the letter which contained the contract which referred to the plan and incorporated … Continue reading Firstpost Homes Ltd v Johnson and Others: CA 14 Aug 1995
Benefit of Covenant Ran with Land In 1938, landowners and the Catchment Board agreed that the Board would make good and maintain the banks of a stream, with the landowners contributing to the cost. The agreement was not said to be for the benefit of the landowner’s successors in title. In 1940, the first plaintiff … Continue reading Smith and Snipes Hall Farm Ltd v River Douglas Catchment Board: CA 1949
The parties disputed whether the defendants owned the benefit of a restrictive covenant. Held: The covenant did touch and concern the land, and the land with the benefit of covenant. The conditions under Federated Homes were met. The covenants were enforceable: ‘in the case of a post 1925 conveyance, once it is established that a … Continue reading Mohammadzadeh v Joseph and others: ChD 15 Feb 2006
Land was laid out in individual lots and sold off in a standard form requiring that no building should be erected other than one private dwelling house and that plans should be submitted for approval. The defendants purchased one lot and wished to erect an additional house in contravention of the restriction. The plaintiffs owned … Continue reading Roake and others v Chadha and another: QBD 1984
Minor Irregularity in Break Notice Not Fatal Leases contained clauses allowing the tenant to break the lease by serving not less than six months notice to expire on the third anniversary of the commencement date of the term of the lease. The tenant gave notice to determine the leases on 12th January 1995, although the … Continue reading Mannai Investment Co Ltd v Eagle Star Assurance: HL 21 May 1997
A greenhouse was not an ‘erection’ within section 62(1). Megaw LJ noted that it was customary to move the greenhouse every few years, Megaw LJ [1969] CLY 3040 Law of Property Act 1925 62(1) England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Elitestone Ltd v Morris and Another HL 1-May-1997 The plaintiff acquired land on which … Continue reading H E Dibble v Moore: CA 1969
The landlord had assigned the reversion of the lease. There was an outstanding dispute with the tenant defendant who owed arrears of rent, but sought to set these off against a claim for damages for the landlord’s failure to construct the factory in the first place. Held: The new landlord was not liable for the … Continue reading Edlington Properties Limited v J H Fenner and Co Limited: CA 22 Mar 2006
The court was asked whether the court has, following the the 2002 Act, an inherent power to order the cancellation of a unilateral notice registered against a title registered under the 2002 Act and, if so, in what circumstances, and how, such a power should be exercised. Held: It did have that power. The power … Continue reading Nugent v Nugent: ChD 20 Dec 2013
LRA Alteration of the register to correct a mistake – Schedule 4 paragraph 5 of he Land Registration Act 1925 – mistake made on first registration in 1971 – omission of land from title – nature of right to seek correction of register – whether right passes to purchaser under section 63 of the Law … Continue reading Rossetti Ltd v Thresher Wines Acquisitions Ltd, First Quench Retailing Limited, Whitbread (UK) Limited: LRA 8 Sep 2009
With respect to the words ‘subject to contract’, Lord Denning said, ‘It is of the greatest importance that no doubt should be thrown on the effect of those words’. As to the difference netween the procedures of compulsory purchase and ordinary contracts: ‘First, when notice to treat is given, it binds the acquiring authority to … Continue reading Munton v Greater London Council: CA 1976
The claimant was injured at work as a consequence of the defender’s negligence. His injuries became more severe, and he came to suffer a disabling depression. Held: the Inner House had been wrong to characterise the Outer House decision as incorrect. Since the pursuer suffered physical injuries the starting point is that he was a … Continue reading Simmons v British Steel plc: HL 29 Apr 2004
(Commission decision as to admissibility) The applicant’s house had been repossessed by a mortgagee when she defaulted on her payments due under the mortgage. Her complaint was found to be manifestly ill-founded, saying ‘In so far as the repossession constituted an interference with the applicant’s home, the Commission finds that this was in accordance with … Continue reading Wood v United Kingdom: ECHR 2 Jul 1997
The defendants sought to set aside orders allowing the claimants to serve proceedings alleging repudiation of a charterparty in turn allowing a claim against the defendants under a guarantee. The defendant said the guarantee was unenforceable under the 1677 Act not being in writing and signed. Held: There was no limit to the number of … Continue reading Golden Ocean Group Ltd v Salgaocar Mining Industries Pvt Ltd and Another: ComC 21 Jan 2011
The House was asked whether an action for unlawful means conspiracy was available against a participant in a missing trader intra-community, or carousel, fraud. The company appealed a finding of liability saying that the VAT Act and Regulations contained the entire regime. Held: Criminal conduct at common law or by statute can constitute unlawful means … Continue reading Total Network Sl v Revenue and Customs: HL 12 Mar 2008
The applicant had held a joint tenancy of the respondent. His partner gave notice and left, and the property was taken into possession. The claimant claimed restoration of his tenancy saying the order did not respect his right to a private life and home. Held: Article 8 does not, in terms, give a right to … Continue reading London Borough of Harrow v Qazi: HL 31 Jul 2003
The landlord sought leave to appeal against a refusal to award it costs associated with the service of a section 146 notice on the tenant. The tenant had covenanted to repair, and to indemnify the landlord against expenses of such notices. The tenant had claimed the benefit of having given a notice under the 1938 … Continue reading Agricullo Ltd v Yorkshire Housing Ltd: CA 16 Mar 2010
Wife in Occupation had Overriding Interest The wife had made a substantial financial contribution to the purchase price of the house which was registered only in her husband’s name, and charged to the bank. The bank sought possession. The wife resisted saying that she had an overriding interest. Held: Her equitable interest was not only … Continue reading Williams and Glyn’s Bank Ltd v Boland: HL 19 Jun 1980
Presumption of dedication dates back. The claimant tripped over a tree root raising a path in the park. The court was now asked whether the pathway through a public park, but which was not a public right of way, was maintainable at public expense as a highway governed by the 1980 Act. Held: As to … Continue reading Barlow v Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council: CA 1 Jun 2020
UTLC RESTRICTIVE COVENANT – discharge or modification – former hospital – covenant relating to small part of hospital building and other land prohibiting erection of any buildings within 20 feet of adjoining footpath – application to discharge or to modify to permit erection of two flats as part of proposed refurbishment of entire hospital to … Continue reading Sheikh and Another Re: Part of Former Fletcher Hospital: UTLC 14 Apr 2011
The applicant’s property was charged to the defendant. At the time it was not occupied. The mortgage fell into arrears, and after serving notice at the property, the bank took posssession and sold the property at auction. The claimants said the bank should have taken possession only after court proceedings. Held: A lender taking possession … Continue reading Ropaigealach v Barclays Bank plc: CA 6 Jan 1999
Only Limited Ownership of pond fish BDS owned land with closed fishing ponds. They sold the land to the respondents, but then claimed that the fish, of substantial value, were not included in the contract. The court as asked whether the captive fish were animals ferae naturae or animals domitae naturae. Held: The appeal was … Continue reading Borwick Development Solutions Ltd v Clear Water Fisheries Ltd: CA 1 May 2020
The trustees proposed establishing a new trust in respect of the share of an estate to which an infant beneficiary had a contingent entitlement. A portion of the trust fund would be allocated to the new trust. Held: This was a lawful exercise of the statutory power of advancement. The new trusts must be read … Continue reading In Re Pilkington’s Will Trusts; Pilkington v Inland Revenue Commissioners: HL 8 Oct 1962
The claimant, in a representative action complained that the works involved in the erection of the Canary Wharf tower constituted a nuisance in that the works created substantial clouds of dust and the building blocked her TV signals, so as to limit her enjoyment of her land. Held: The interference with TV reception by an … Continue reading Hunter and Others v Canary Wharf Ltd: HL 25 Apr 1997
The claimant sought to recover the costs of damage to their centre following a riot, saying that under the 1886 Act, they were liable. It appealed against a ruling that they were unable to claim as a public authority, saying that the 1886 Act was not limited in the way suggested. Held: Though privately operated, … Continue reading Yarl’s Wood Immigration Ltd and Others v Bedfordshire Police Authority: CA 23 Oct 2009
The parties signed a memorandum of agreement to let a strip of land from 1930 until determined as provided, but the only provision was that the lease would continue until the land was needed for road widening and two months’ notice was given. The land was never used for road widening and notice to terminate … Continue reading Prudential Assurance Co Ltd v London Residuary Body and Others: HL 16 Jul 1992
Relief from forfeiture was available against a landlord who had peaceably re-entered property subject to a tenancy without a court order. Such a landlord was still ‘proceeding’ to enforce his rights of forfeiture until he obtained a judgment for . .
The defendant tenant appealed from refusal of relief from forfeiture. At the trial it was conceded that there had been breaches of covenant by the defendant company consisting of the failure to reconstruct the premises by a stated date, and to give . .
Admissibility . .
The mother sought to prevent a father from publishing a book about her child’s life. It was to contain passages she said may cause psychological harm to the 12 year old son. Mother and son lived in the USA and the family court here had no . .
References: (1937) 57 CLR 666, [1937] HCA 52 Links: Austlii Coram: Dixon J, Latham CJ Ratio: (High Court of Australia) Cases of mutual wills are only one example of a wider category of cases, for example secret trusts, in which a court of equity will intervene to impose a constructive trust. Latham CJ described a … Continue reading Birmingham v Renfrew; 11 Jun 1937
