50 Must-Know Contract Law Cases

Contract law is examined in every UK law qualification — LLB, GDL, SQE1, CILEX, and BPTC. The cases below are the ones that crop up on exam papers repeatedly and that tutors expect you to cite fluently.

Formation & Offer: Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co [1893] (unilateral offer binding on world at large); Harvey v Facey [1893] (statement of price not an offer); Gibson v Manchester City Council [1979] (negotiations ≠ binding contract); Partridge v Crittenden [1968] (advertisements are invitations to treat).

Consideration: Currie v Misa [1875] (definition); Chappell & Co v Nestlé [1960] (adequacy irrelevant); Williams v Roffey Bros [1991] (practical benefit); Foakes v Beer [1884] (part payment of debt); Re Selectmove [1995] (Foakes applies to money debts, Roffey does not).

Terms & Exclusion: L’Estrange v Graucob [1934] (signed documents bind); Thornton v Shoe Lane Parking [1971] (onerous terms need special notice); Photo Production v Securicor [1980] (fundamental breach does not automatically void exclusion clauses); UCTA 1977 reasonableness test.

Misrepresentation: Hedley Byrne v Heller [1964] (negligent misstatement); Derry v Peek [1889] (fraudulent misrepresentation); Redgrave v Hurd [1881] (right to rescind survives opportunity to verify).

Frustration & Discharge: Davis Contractors v Fareham UDC [1956] (frustration test); Krell v Henry [1903] (coronation cases); BP Refinery v Shire of Hastings [1977] (implied terms).

Memorise the full citation, the one-line ratio, and whether the case was decided in the claimant or defendant’s favour. Use our contract law flashcards to drill all 50+ cases with spaced repetition.