Wilkinson v Downton established the tort of intentionally causing physical harm through false statements without direct physical contact. The defendant falsely told the plaintiff that her husband had been seriously injured, causing her severe shock and physical illness, creating liability for intentional infliction of harm.

Established the Reynolds defence (qualified privilege for responsible journalism) allowing media defendants to escape liability for defamatory statements on matters of public interest if published following responsible journalistic standards, regardless of truth.

Established the classic definition of defamatory meaning as words that tend to lower a person in the estimation of right-thinking members of society generally, or cause them to be shunned or avoided, or expose them to hatred, ridicule or contempt.

A defamation case establishing that words must lower the claimant's reputation in the eyes of right-thinking members of society, not just any section of society.

House of Lords established that government bodies cannot sue for defamation, as this would undermine democratic accountability and free political speech.

A flooring specialist nominated by the building owner owed a duty of care in negligence for pure economic loss arising from defective workmanship, despite no contract between the parties. The House of Lords extended Donoghue v Stevenson and Anns, finding sufficient proximity based on the specialist's knowledge the floor was for the pursuer's use and reliance on their skill.

Extended Goldman v Hargrave to natural land movements, establishing that landowners must take reasonable steps to prevent naturally occurring land slippage from damaging neighbouring property. Confirmed the 'measured duty' principle in English law.

A woman claimed damages after allegedly finding a decomposed snail in a bottle of ginger beer, becoming ill as a result. This case established the modern law of negligence and the 'neighbour principle' - that we owe a duty of care to those who might reasonably be affected by our actions.

Rylands v Fletcher established the rule of strict liability for damage caused by the escape of dangerous things accumulated on land. This landmark case created a new tort principle that makes landowners liable for harm caused by hazardous substances kept on their property, regardless of fault or negligence.

The House of Lords held that there could be no liability under the rule in Rylands v Fletcher without an escape of the dangerous thing from the defendant's land, clarifying a key element of strict liability.

Landmark House of Lords decision establishing that public authorities can owe a duty of care in negligence to individuals who suffer harm as a direct result of the authority's carelessness in exercising statutory functions. The case extended Donoghue v Stevenson principles to public law contexts.

House of Lords case that relaxed the test for factual causation where the defendant's negligence materially increased the risk of harm that actually occurred.

Rose v Plenty established that an employer can be vicariously liable for an employee's actions even when those actions directly contravene express prohibitions, provided the wrongful act was committed in the course of employment. The case clarified the scope of vicarious liability in tort law.

Professional's disclaimer of liability for negligent advice held unreasonable under UCTA.

House of Lords case establishing that in medical negligence, claimants must prove causation on the balance of probabilities even where multiple potential causes exist.

Statements of opinion constitute misrepresentation if maker lacks reasonable grounds.

Caparo established the modern three-stage test for determining when a duty of care exists in negligence: foreseeability, proximity, and whether it is fair, just and reasonable to impose a duty. The case concerned whether auditors owed a duty of care to potential investors who relied on company accounts. In Robinson v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police [2018] UKSC 4 the Supreme Court clarified that the three-stage framework is not a universal test and is relevant only in novel cases.

House of Lords establishes liability for negligent misstatement in special relationships

Murphy v Brentwood DC is a landmark House of Lords case that significantly restricted liability for pure economic loss in negligence. The case overruled Anns v Merton and established that local authorities owe no duty of care to building owners for economic loss caused by defective foundations, fundamentally reshaping the law of negligence in construction cases.

House of Lords sets high bar for fraudulent misrepresentation claims

Cambridge Water concerned liability for environmental contamination where a leather manufacturer's chemical spillages polluted a water company's borehole. The House of Lords established that foreseeability of harm is required for both nuisance and Rylands v Fletcher liability, significantly limiting strict liability for environmental damage.

No injunction for confidential information already in public domain

White v Jones established that solicitors can owe a duty of care to intended beneficiaries under a will when they fail to carry out testamentary instructions. This landmark case extended the tort of negligence to protect third parties who suffer loss due to a solicitor's breach of duty to their client.

Whistleblowing protection requires good faith but permits mixed motives including personal grievance.

Spring v Guardian Assurance established that employers owe a duty of care when providing employment references, requiring them to take reasonable care to ensure accuracy and avoid negligent misstatements. This landmark case extended the tort of negligence to employment references, balancing the need for honest references with protection against careless or malicious statements.

Disgorgement of profits available for breach of contract in exceptional circumstances.

Government loses bid to suppress Cabinet minister's political diaries

Continuing duty to correct representations that become false before contract.

No liability for damage to property already damaged by another tortfeasor.

Psychiatric injury recoverable where claimant fears immediate personal physical danger.

Court defines post-employment confidentiality duties for trade secrets and business information

This case established that employers can be vicariously liable for employees' intentional wrongdoing if there is a sufficiently close connection between the employment and the wrongful acts. The House of Lords held a care home liable for sexual abuse committed by a warden against residents.

Unfair prejudice requires breach of legitimate expectations based on actual agreements or understandings.

Malicious acts against neighbours can constitute nuisance despite being otherwise lawful.

Misrepresenting an exclusion clause's scope prevents reliance on its broader excluded liabilities.

Crown immunity protects MoD from vicarious liability for acts causing death/injury to servicemen.

Fiduciaries must account for unauthorized profits despite acting honestly

Unintentional personal injury claims must be brought in negligence, not trespass.

Section 2(1) damages assessed on fraud basis, including all consequential losses.