The defendants had contracted to transport goods for the plaintiff. The goods had been left at empty premises and were damaged or stolen. The defendant sought to rely upon their clause excluding liability. Held: The reasonableness of a standard contract term was best pleaded by the proponent of it. ‘There is much to be said … Continue reading Sheffield v Pickfords Limited and Pickfords Removals Limited: CA 11 Feb 1997
EAT PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Striking-out/dismissal In April 2009, the Claimant, who was then 77 years of age, was employed by the Respondent, when he was laid off without pay. While still being employed by the Respondent he submitted an ET1 alleging he had been laid off. By a judgment of Employment Judge Salter (‘the … Continue reading Foster v Bon Groundwork Ltd: EAT 17 Mar 2011
Judges: Rix, Wilson, Stanley Burnton LLJ Citations: [2011] EWCA Civ 133 Links: Bailii Statutes: Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Contract Updated: 02 September 2022; Ref: scu.429646
The court was asked whether certain provisions fell within section 3 of the Misrepresentation Act. Held: Christopher Clarke J referred to dicta of Gloster J and said: ‘In Springwell Gloster J took the view that terms which simply defined the basis upon which the parties were transacting business did not fall within section 2 of … Continue reading Raiffeisen Zentralbank Osterreich Ag v The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc: ComC 11 Jun 2010
PC (Bermuda) The courts should be reluctant to accept a fetter on the employer’s right to dismiss on notice where there is an express term in the contract empowering the employer to do so. Lord Millet considered the contention that the employer was duty bound to preserve the relationship of trust and confidence: ‘which ought … Continue reading Reda, Abdul-Jalil v Flag Limited: PC 11 Jul 2002
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
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
Mr Nelson was employed as a producer but had in fact been engaged in the Caribbean Service of the BBC in terms of the work which he had actually been doing. The contract of employment expressly provided that he should serve wherever and however he might be required. Held: The closure of the BBC service … Continue reading Nelson v British Broadcasting Corporation: CA 1977
The claimants sought repayment by the bank of sums paid to them for Payment Protection Insurance policies sold to them in connection with loans made by the bank. The Bank now resisted an application for leave to amend the particulars of the counterclaim to allege that the taking out of the insurance had been made … Continue reading Barnes and Another v Black Horse Ltd: QBD 31 May 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
The parties had contracted for the sale of land. The purchaser secured the rescinding of the contract for innocent misrepresentation. A notice of a relevant planning application had not been passed on by the seller’s solicitors. The seller appealed saying that the judge had been wrong to find that condition 7.1.3 of the Standard Conditions … Continue reading Cleaver and Others v Schyde Investments Ltd: CA 29 Jul 2011
The claimants had been employed by a local authority and then transferred to the respondents. They had had the benefit that their terms of employment were subject to collective agreement. The respondent was not part of the negotiation of later . .
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The claimants had been persuaded to take up leases on a service area constructed by the defendants. They said that the publicity materials had wildly exaggerated the actual number of visitors, and sought damages for fraudulent misrepresentation. Held: The claim in fraudulent misrepresentation failed. Lewison J discussed why the entire agreement clause satisfied the test … Continue reading Foodco UK Llp (T/A Muffin Break) and Others v Henry Boot Developments Ltd: ChD 3 Mar 2010
The court upheld under the 1977 Act a clause which limited a port authority’s liability to andpound;800 per ton of consignment. Other factors were relevant but ‘The way in which the port authority’s general conditions came into being seems to me to be relevant. The conditions were approved, apparently without objection, by the port authority’s … Continue reading Singer Co (UK) Ltd v Tees and Hartlepool Port Authority: 1988
A seedsman sought to rely upon an exclusion clause preventing any claim by a purchaser by way of set off against its sales invoices. The House was asked whether a contractual term was ‘fair and reasonable’ within the meaning of section 55 of the Sale of Goods Act 1979. Held: Where a tribunal applies a … Continue reading George Mitchell (Chesterhall) Ltd v Finney Lock Seeds Ltd: HL 1983
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
The council purchased software from the defendants to calculate council taxes. Mistakes in the software undercalculated the amounts required to be recovered causing the council substantial losses. The company sought to rely upon a clause in the contract limiting the extent of their liability. Held: The clause was unreasonable in the light of the very … Continue reading St Albans City and District Council v International Computers Ltd: CA 14 Aug 1996
The court was asked as to whether representations has been made. Held: Aikens LJ referred to a provision stating ‘no representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made . . in or in relation to such documents or information’, and to dicta of Christopher Clarke J in Raffeissen said: ‘I would therefore … Continue reading Springwell Navigation Corporation v JP Morgan Chase Bank and Others: CA 1 Nov 2010
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
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
The appellant challenged a finding that it was responsible for the loss of medical equipment being transported from Tehran to the UK, and of failing to insure it as required, the contractual term exempting it from responsibility being an unreasonable one under the Act, since the obligations imposed on the respectve parties were imbalanced. Held: … Continue reading Overseas Medical Supplies Limited v Orient Transport Services Limited: CA 20 May 1999
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
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
Mr Nelson was employed as a producer but had in fact been engaged in the Caribbean Service of the BBC in terms of the work which he had actually been doing. The contract of employment expressly provided that he should serve wherever and however he might be required. Held: For a tribunal to find itself … Continue reading Nelson v British Broadcasting Corporation (No 2 ): CA 1980
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The claimant said that the software supplied to it was not fit for purpose. The defendant said that the company had relied on its own inspections of what was a standard package, and had not made known its desire to use it in a specific context. The claimant had originally pleaded reliance on the defendant’s … Continue reading Kingsway Hall Hotel Ltd v Red Sky IT (Hounslow) Ltd: TCC 6 May 2010
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
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
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
The claimants had bought a painting (Odalisque) through the defendant auctioneers. They now claimed that it had been misattributed to Kustodiev, and claimed in negligence and misrepresentation. Held: Based on the connoisseurship evidence, the painting was likely not to be by Kustodiev. The claimant was entitled under the contract to cancel the contract and recover … Continue reading Avrora Fine Arts Investment Ltd v Christie, Manson and Woods Ltd: ChD 27 Jul 2012
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
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
The House was asked whether a failure by a lessor to keep strictly to the timetable laid down in a rent review clause in a lease necessarily deprived the lessor of the benefit of the rent review. Held: A stipulation as to time in an option clause will normally be of the essence. The grantor … Continue reading United Scientific Holdings v Burnley Borough Council: HL 1978
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
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
The company decided to make redundancies. The applicants, all selected, had worked in more than one section of the plant. All employees worked under the same contract, but employees were chosen only from the one section. The complainants said that the entire workforce should have been considered. Held: Under the Order it was for the … Continue reading Murray and Another v Foyle Meats Ltd (Northern Ireland): HL 8 Jul 1999
To succeed in a claim for constructive dismissal the plaintiff must establish a breach of contract by the defendant, that the breach was sufficiently serious to have justified the claimant resigning, or at least be the last in a series of events which justified his leaving, and that he left his employment with the defendant … Continue reading Western Excavating (ECC) Ltd v Sharp: CA 1978
The Chagos Islands had been a British dependent territory since 1814. The British government repatriated the islanders in the 1960s, and the Ilois now sought damages for their wrongful displacement, misfeasance, deceit, negligence and to establish a . .
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
References: [2008] EWHC 1186 (Comm) Links: Bailii Coram: Gloster J Gloster J said: ‘terms which simply define the basis upon which services will be rendered and confirm the basis upon which parties are transacting business are not subject to section 2 of UCTA. Otherwise, every contract which contains contractual terms defining the extent of each … Continue reading JP Morgan Chase Bank and others v Springwell Navigation Corporation; Comc 27 May 2008
